cim magazine february 2008

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February/février 2006 www.cim.orgFebruary • février 2008 www.cim.org

Congrès et Salon commercial de l’ICM

CIM Conference and Exhibition

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM | PROGRAMME PRÉLIMINAIRE

25

001-001 Cover 3/11/08 4:50 PM

Concentrating on Mining …Proving our worth

It’s All About Adding True Value.

No two ores, no two mines, and no two minerals processing plants are identical. Which is why our extensive experience and industry-wide know-how are so valuable to our customers – to ensure that they get the recovery rates and concentrate quality they expect, the throughput and the availability they want.

So if size reduction, enrichment, upgrading, and materials handling are all central toyour needs…then let Metso’s teams of professionals provide the solutions you need so you can concentrate on your most important product—your business!

Adding value with expert industry know-how and innovative thinking is Metso’s true value to you.

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A D D R E S S M E TS O M I N E R A L S - M I N I N G , 2 4 0 A R C H S T R E E T, YO R K , PA 1 7 4 0 3 U S A P H O N E + 1 7 1 7 8 4 3 8 6 7 1 FA X + 1 7 1 7 8 4 5 5 1 5 4 E - M A I L M I N E R A L S . I N F O @ M E TS O. CO M

Insightin Action

At Sandvik Mining and Construction, we make it our business to understand your business. And as your mining partner, we’re proud to offer you one of the industry’s widest selections of equipment and services. Because at Sandvik, we consider it our responsibility to listen to our customers and add value to every aspect of your operation—from equipment and consumables to intelligent automation, R&D, operator safety, and overall service capabilities. You can always count on Sandvik to help you achieve the highest productivity possible. To learn how our mining expertise can help add value to your operation, contact your nearest Sandvik representative or visit our web site at www.sandvik.com.

© 2007 Sandvik Mining and Construction www.sandvik.com • [email protected] • 800.826.7625

Editor-in-chiefHeather Ednie [email protected] EditorsColumns, CIM News, Histories, Technical Section:Andrea Nichiporuk [email protected] and Features:Angie Gordon [email protected] Editor Joan TomiukPublisher CIM

Contributors Jon Baird, Bob Booze, Chris Brothen,Robert Carey, Jean-Marie Fecteau, Pierre Gaucher,Michel Grenier, Ferri Hassani, Carolyn Hersey, MarcelLaflamme, Louise Laverdure, Terry Lee, StephenLucas, Deborah McCombe, Gordon Peeling, VeronicaSanchez, Allan Smith, Larry Smith, Paul Stothart, EdSullivan, John Thomas, Jean Vavrek, Craig Waldie,Haidee Weldon, Thomas Wexler, Gord Winkel, DanZlotnikov

Published 8 times a year by CIM855 - 3400 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West Montreal, QC, H3Z 3B8Tel.: 514.939.2710; Fax: 514.939.2714 www.cim.org; Email: [email protected]

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This month’s coverImage courtesy of © Cameron Collingwood.

Layout and design by Clò Communications.

Copyright©2008. All rights reserved.ISSN 1718-4177. Publications Mail No. 09786.Postage paid at CPA Saint-Laurent, QC.Dépôt légal: Bibliothèque nationale du Québec.The Institute, as a body, is not responsible for statements made or opinions advanced either in arti-cles or in any discussion appearing in its publications.

Printed in Canada

Giving recognition

Earlier this year, I attended the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inductiongala in Toronto, and was really impressed with the incredible lives thisyear’s inductees have led. All five winners were undoubtedly deserving of

great recognition. It made me think about how many other deserving individuals have shaped

our industry. At the CIM Awards Gala every year, we applaud some such people,but how do we recognize their contributions throughout the year? The miner-als industry is built by the vision and sweat of the people who create it. Andthere are so many inspiring stories out there.

Our online-only series by Peter Nowasad, sharing his memoires from his life-time in the industry, has generated much interest from CIM members (see page110). There must be more such stories out there, and they should be shared.

Not all the heroes of our industry are rooted in our history — as we move for-ward, we’re creating the epic mining stories of tomorrow. On page 22 readabout the new Canadian Mining Innovation Council, which will bring govern-ment, industry, academia and other research organizations together to set thegroundwork for a new generation of Canadian mining expertise. Such coordi-nated efforts will lead to efficiency improvements and new emerging technolo-gies and practices to maintain our industry’s high level of excellence.

CIM will be publishing its first official Annual Report this year, which willinclude recognition of some of the volunteers giving back to our industry. Thisis just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to increasing recognition for contri-butions, and we aim to further such work in the future.

In the meantime, let me know who has a story to tell, who deserves someapplause. With a dab of creativity, we can share the outstanding stories of ourpeers and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.

Heather EdnieEditor-in-chief

4 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 3, No. 1

CONTENTSCIM MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2008 FÉVRIER

NEWS9 IOC tailings management process to

restore Wabush Lake Flocculation technol-ogy to be used for tailings management

10 Setting international standards AnInterview with Niall Weatherstone, president of theCommittee for Mineral Reserves InternationalReporting Standards by L. Smith

16 Leading through people at Elk ValleyCoal Developing the leadership skills front-linesupervisors and managers need to succeed by A. Smith

19 Hall of Fame welcomes newinductees Five inductees honoured at 20thannual gala dinner

COLUMNS52 Eye on Business by T. Wexler

54 MAC Economic Commentary by P. Stothart

56 Standards by D. McCombe and C. Waldie

58 Mining Lore by D. Zlotnikov

60 Innovation Page by J. Thomas and G. Winkel

62 HR Outlook by V. Sanchez

64 Parlons-en par P. Gaucher

65 Canadians Abroad by D. Zlotnikov

67 Engineering Exchange by H. Weldon

69 Safety by C. Hersey

70 The Supply Side by J. Baird

122 Voices from Industry by R. Carey

CIM NEWS71 CIM welcomes new members71 Obituaries72 La section de Thetford visite

Nichromet/Thetford Branch visitsNichromet

73 CIM Distinguished Lecturers — an interview with Chief Glenn Nolan by R. Pillo

73 Hamilton branch kicks off 2007-2008 season

74 CIM North-Central BC Branch revitalized

76 Recognizing academic excellence:Meet CIM Foundation scholarshiprecipients by A. Nichiporuk

HISTORY102 California gold — Part 3 by R.J. Cathro

105 The evolution of shaft sinking systems — Part 4 by C. Graham and V. Evans

108 Migration and movement of scholarsby F. Habashi

TECHNICAL SECTION112 This month’s contents

IN EVERY ISSUE4 Editor’s Message6 President’s Notes/Mot du Président8 Letters to the Editor

75 Calendar119 Bookshop120 Professional Directory

February 2008 | 5

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42 Le Conseil canadien de l’innovationminière Une approche énergétique à l’innova-tion minière

44 Prix pour réduction de la consomma-tion de cyanure IAMGOLD et COREMreçoivent un prix d’excellence pour leur engage-ment envers des pratiques innovatrices

44 Optimiser la formation par l’utilisa-tion d’outils innovateurs R.W. Consultinget Training Services Ltd. voient des améliorationsmajeures depuis l’acquisition du logiciel Simlog

45 Être en Communication Établir des com-munications à haute vitesse dans des conditionsdifficiles

46 Une once de prévention Les implicationspratiques d’un système de surveillance sans fil dela pression des pneus pour les sites miniers

47 Ô Canada ! Survol des projets innovateurs derecherché aux LMSM de CANMET

INNOVATION22 The Canadian Mining Innovation

Council Renewing a commitment to miningresearch excellence by S. Lucas, F. Hassani, G.

Peeling, J. Baird and J. Vavrek

24 In the loop Delivering high-speed communi-cations into harsh environments by E. Sullivan and

B. Booze

26 Award received for reduced cyanideconsumption IAMGOLD and COREM jointlyreceive award recognizing their commitment toinnovative practices by C. Hersey

28 Oh Canada! Overview of innovative researchprojects from CANMET-MMSL by L. Laverdure,M. Laflamme, M. Grenier and J.-M. Fecteau

35 Optimizing training through innova-tive tools R.W. Consulting and TrainingServices Ltd. has seen major improvementssince acquiring the Simlog Off-Highway TruckSimulator by C. Hersey

37 An ounce of prevention The practicalimplications of a wireless tire pressure monitoringsystem for mine sites by C. Brothen and T. Lee

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM /PROGRAMME PRÉLIMINAIRE

CIM Conference and ExhibitionCongrès et Salon commercial de l’ICM 80

As my term as CIM president is coming to a close, I look back at the past year and try to assess whatI have learned about CIM, its current role and where we might be in the future. We are a world-class orga-nization that is knowledge-based, with a focus on sharing knowledge to set best practices and for our ownpersonal development. However, on the other hand, we are a complex organization of many branches, dis-tricts and societies. Together with our small staff in Montreal and Calgary, we are an organization of volun-teers dedicated to the CIM cause. We have a broad mandate covering the discovery and extraction of min-erals and hydrocarbons through to the making of metals and materials for the good of society.

A question I have from my observations is, given this broad mandate, can we be focused enough to cre-ate the best value for our members, our industries and then our societies in general? We continue to be atechnical-driven organization; however, we are moving to the softer side of our business – our sustainabil-ity and corporate social responsibilities to our communities and stakeholders. Our mandate is now evenmore complex. We have also seen an increase in competing associations that have evolved for very spe-cific and focused parts of our business.

Some time ago, we undertook strategic planning sessions that looked at our existing organization andhow we operate.We have made many improvements over the past few years in providing value to our mem-bers, including governance for a large not-for-profit organization. However, is this enough?

So where to from here? Can we be everything to our entire industry? I firmly believe we have succeededin many areas; however, given our ever-increasing mandate, how do we create a greater focus and out-come for our members?

This year will be the time for asking these questions. In themeantime we have a lot of work to do!

president’s notes

Alors que mon mandat en tant que président de l’ICM tire à sa fin, je profite de l’occasion poureffectuer un retour sur la dernière année et tenter d’évaluer ce que j’ai appris à propos de l’ICM, deson rôle actuel et de son avenir. Nous sommes un organisme de classe mondiale basé sur les con-naissances et axé sur le partage de nos connaissances pour le développement de meilleures pra-tiques ainsi que pour notre développement personnel. Toutefois, nous sommes un organisme com-plexe constitué de nombreuses sections, districts et sociétés. Ensemble, et avec le personnel per-manent à Montréal et à Calgary, nous formons un organisme de bénévoles entièrement dédiés à lacause de l’ICM. Notre mandat est vaste, il va de la découverte et de l’extraction de minéraux et d’hy-drocarbures à la fabrication de métaux et de matériaux pour le plus grand bien de la société.

À partir de mes observations sur ce vaste mandat, je me demande si nous pouvons être suffi-samment ciblés pour créer une meilleure valeur pour nos membres, nos industries et la société engénéral. Nous sommes toujours un organisme à vocation technique, mais nous nous engageons deplus en plus vers un volet plus délicat de nos travaux – notre durabilité et les responsabilités socialescorporatives envers nos communautés et les intervenants. Notre mandat est maintenant de plus enplus complexe. Nous avons vu également un accroissement du nombre d’associations compétitricesqui se sont développées dans des secteurs bien particuliers et bien ciblés de notre champ d’action.

Il y a quelque temps, nous avons entrepris des sessions de planification stratégique dans le butd’analyser notre organisme actuel et notre manière de fonctionner. Nous avons effectué beaucoupd’améliorations au cours des dernières années en offrant une valeur à nos membres, incluant lagouvernance d’un vaste organisme sans but lucratif. Est-ce suffisant?

Que nous réserve l’avenir? Pouvons-nous faire absolument tout pour l’ensemble de notre indus-trie? Je crois fermement que nous avons réussi dans de nombreux domaines, mais, étant donnénotre mandat qui s’élargit de plus en plus, comment pouvons-nous être encore plus ciblés tout enoffrant encore plus à nos membres?

Il sera temps cette année de nous poser de telles questions. En attendant, nous avons beau-coup de travail à faire!

Évaluation du mandat de l’ICM

Jim PopowichCIM President Président de l’ICM

mot du président

Assessing CIM’s mandate


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letters


Online memoires of a career in mining

CIM Magazine has received a number of lettersexpressing enjoyment in reading the online mem-oires of Peter Nowasad’s career in mining inCanada. Click on ‘Online Content’ on the homepage of CIM Magazine.

Dear Peter,I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed see-

ing your articles — they are wonderful reflec-tions on a life full of rich experiences.Congratulations, and thank you for sharingthem with all of us.

Best regards,Nancy MacPhersonSpecial Adviser, Performance AssessmentIUCN - The World Conservation Union

Discount rates under discussion

Dear Mr. Smith,In the November 2007 issue of CIM

Magazine you wrote an excellent and useful arti-cle about discount rates used in the industry(page 16). You mention that all the discount ratescited are “expressed in real terms.” Do you meanthat inflation is not included?

Thank you in advance,Gabor Matyas

Dear Gabor,The survey respondents were asked to pro-

vide values in real terms, that is, excluding esca-lation. I believe they have done so. The replies tothe survey appear to be in keeping with what themining analysts for financial institutions use intheir real cash flow forecasts for share price esti-mation. They are also in keeping with values Iuse in my work, which is done in real terms.

By being in real terms, the results of the sur-vey should be independent of year-to-year esca-lation and therefore applicable over a longperiod of time. The results from earlier surveysare similar, suggesting this is the case.

You might find my paper on this subject ofinterest, “Discount rates and risk assessment inmineral project evaluations,” CIM Bulletin,April 1995, Vol. 88, No. 989, p. 34-43.

Sincerely,Larry Smith

Iron Ore Company of Canada(IOC) recently announced a newtailings management process aimedat restoring Wabush Lake to its natu-ral colour and increasing the produc-tive capacity of the fish population.

These tailings consist of waste silica,quartz particles and fine-grained oresolids that are suspended in the lakewater and are unable to be recoveredwithin the existing concentrationprocess. Iron-stained quartz is respon-sible for the reddish hue that is pro-duced when tailings come into contactwith water.

IOC will employ flocculationtechnology, which causes these tail-ings to stick to flocks, forming larger

flake-like particles which, in turn, set-tle to the bottom of the lake, therebycontrolling their dispersion.

“The project will allow for the safeand effective containment of tailingsand eliminate the red colour ofWabush Lake,” stated Terence Bowles,IOC president and CEO, at a press con-ference and commissioning ceremonyheld in Labrador City. “We are return-ing the lake to a quality that is on parwith other Labrador lake systems.”

Bowles added that IOC’s tailingsmanagement program is designed toleave a minimum footprint on WabushLake and goes beyond governmentrequirements to meet communityexpectations. CIM

February 2008 | 9

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IOC tailings management process to restore Wabush Lake

news

news

Recently, on behalf of CIM, I inter-viewed Niall Weatherstone, presidentof the Committee for Mineral ReservesInternational Reporting Standards(CRIRSCO). We examined a number oftopics relating to international report-ing standards.

CIM: In Canada, we do not hear a lotabout CRIRSCO. What is it?Weatherstone: CRIRSCO has been inexistence in one form or another sincearound 1993. It is a body that is formed

of representatives of themajor mining NationalReporting organizations,

including JORC in Australia, SAMRECin South Africa, CIM in Canada, etc.

It is thus an international versionof these national bodies. Its mandate

by Larry Smith

Setting international standards

is to promote equivalence among thevarious national standards, for exam-ple, reciprocity in accepting quali-fied/competent person status acrossnational boundaries.

CIM: Is CRIRSCO proposing a newinternational reporting standard?Weatherstone: No, not as such.CRIRSCO produces an internationalreporting template which, with theagreement of its members, provides amodel for countries currently with-out a reporting code or wanting tomake theirs internationally compati-ble. National codes take precedencewhen it comes to actual reporting asthey obviously have to meet localregulator requirements, but the tem-plate has been used by a number of

countries (including Chile and thePhilippines) as the basis for theircodes.

CIM: Where are the Russians headingwith their system?Weatherstone: The Russian Federationhas recently released a new version oftheir code, which does not differgreatly from previous ones in adopt-ing a classification (A, B, C1, C2, etc.)that has been used historically and isbased on a fairly prescriptive formatfor use. They are keen to see widerrecognition of their system, not in thesense that they want it adopted else-where, but they need it to be under-stood, largely because Russian compa-nies are now moving into the Westand vice versa. CRIRSCO has a joint


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committee with the Russian GKZ(which controls their reserves sys-tems) and we are discussing ways inwhich the Russian and western sys-tems can be mapped to each other.There are some fundamental differ-ences but a great willingness on bothsides to complete this exercise. TheRussians have recently established aprofessional body that would be theequivalent of our professional bodieswhen it comes to certifying competentpersons. Talks are continuing.

CIM: What system do the Chineseuse?Weatherstone: The Chinese have theirown system that, in some respects, issimilar to the Russian one. Both sys-tems do not explicitly separateresources from reserves, whichmakes it difficult to use, from ourpoint of view, and both are based onprescriptive criteria to defineresource/reserve categories. TheChinese, however, also recognize theneed to update their system to some-thing more compatible with interna-tional codes, and CRIRSCO is in theprocess of establishing a similar com-mittee to discuss how this could bedone. Our problem to date has beenidentifying the right people to talk toas the Chinese system is totally gov-ernment-controlled and their govern-ment departments are vast; however,there has been recent progress onthis, including preliminary meetingsin Beijing, so we are hopeful of goodprogress in 2008.

CIM: Where are the Americans head-ing with their system?Weatherstone: The U.S. system causeseveryone a lot of heartburn. We havetried for a number of years to engagewith the SEC to get them to adopt theinternationally compatible system pro-posed by SME and developed by astrong Industry Working Group severalyears ago. SME recently released theirGuide 2007, which does not haveendorsement by the SEC but which iscompatible internationally. The SEChas just announced their intention to

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news


update the rules governing oil and gasreporting and have engaged an aca-demic to do this work. We are pushingfor them to do the same for minerals sothat Industry Guide 7 would bereplaced by the SME Guide or anequivalent.

CIM: The current internationalresource and reserve definitions donot provide terminology to describemineralization that does not have“reasonable prospects for economicextraction.” It seems to me there is agood deal of mineralization that isexcluded by this economic restrictionthat is still helpful in describing amineral deposit.Weatherstone: The topic of mineraliza-tion, beyond what is allowed underreporting codes, is a hot one and beingdiscussed in various forums. First, letme point out that reporting codessuch as CIM, JORC, etc. are just that— they are intended for public report-ing, not for internal analysis or evalu-

ation. They must meet the criterion ofreasonable prospect for economicextraction under appropriate assump-tions (cutoff grade, access to conven-tional mining and processingapproaches, and so on). This is sensi-ble because these codes restrictreporting to the information that is ofgreatest interest to investors, who aretheir main target.

Other institutions, such as theUnited Nations and governments,often require reporting of mineral-ization beyond what is covered bythe reporting codes, and we recog-nize this. CRIRSCO has beenengaged with the UN for nearly 10years now to help develop systemsthat are compatible between miner-als and petroleum and which can beused to describe the full range ofpotential mineralization, includingthe bits without current prospects,uneconomic materials and, in somecases, even undiscovered mineral-ization.

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Giving backDishing out the big bucks

Construction on UBC’s new EarthSystems Science Building is sched-uled to begin next year, thanks inpart to over $20 million in donationsfrom Goldcorp, Pan American SilverCorporation, Imperial Metals andBreakwater Resources Ltd., amongothers. The building, which willfocus on research and innovation insustainable mining and mineralexploration practices, is planned for6,000 students.

The CRIRSCO template andnational reporting codes are unlikelyto change as a result of this work,which aims at high-level compatibilityamong systems, but we do recognizethat mineralization exists outside thecode criteria. CRIRSCO has agreedwith the United Nations that it wouldconstruct some form of statement tothis effect and try to promote consis-tent terminology when such mineral-ization is described. The codes dohave a category for this materialalready, called Exploration Results,but of course there are many forms inwhich these can be presented, frominitial exploration through to well-drilled, defined volumes of mineral-ization that fail to meet the reasonableeconomic tests.

CIM: How does CRIRSCO address val-uation methods to be used on mineralproperties?Weatherstone: To date, CRIRSCO hasnot involved itself in the developmentof valuation codes.

Watch for the Standards column in theMarch/April and May issues of CIMMagazine for more information on CRIRSCO, its codes and new developments. CIM

About the Author Larry Smith is the managerproject evalvations, strategic planning and corpo-rate development, Vale Inco

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news

In early 2003, the Elk Valley CoalPartnership (EVCP) was formed,bringing together the FordingCanadian Coal Trust and TeckCominco Limited, to create a globalleader in the production and sale ofhard coking coal. With the newly cre-ated merger of three organizations,Elk Valley Coal needed to implementa standardization of people manage-ment practices across the organiza-tion and throughout their six openpit mines in Western Canada. Beforethe merger, EVCP’s mines ran inde-pendently and each was managed as a

separate business unitwith different manage-ment practices. These

differences in management practicesrose to become a larger concern afterthe organization grew to 3,000employees as a result of the merger.EVCP needed to define themselves asa new organization, while providing

by Allan Smith

Leading through people at Elk Valley Coal

the best management skills to engagetheir workforce. EVCP’s senior man-agement recognized the need to pro-vide standardization of human

resource management practicesthroughout different mine sites. Aninternal needs analysis study byEVCP confirmed that training inleadership skills was viewed as a toppriority by their managers and super-visors.

Drawing on the data that had been gathered, EVCP partnered with Development Dimensions

International (DDI), a global humanresource consulting firm, to create acustomized program of 10 coursesthat developed the leadership skills

front-line leaders needed to succeed,to be given over a six-month periodThe experience combines classroominstruction, hands-on skill practicesand a comprehensive overview oftheir EVCP strategic priorities andvalues. The courses cover topics suchas change management, coaching forsuccess, delegating results and inter-personal communication skills. DDIworked with EVCP to tailor the train-ing materials, exercises, and skillpractice situations, to encompassEVCP-specific language, the organi-zation’s culture, and its business envi-ronment.

“DDI was the partner of choice;they offered the best people manage-rial skills needed,” said IanAnderson, manager of humanresources at EVCP. DDI deliveredcourses at a location close to thesite, where people from other unitsand parts of the organization wereable to meet. The location offeredmany opportunities for people tocross-learn and gain a sense of whatother sites were experiencing. It wasan opportunity to share best prac-tices and to build relationshipsamong colleagues. “I loved theinvolvement in this session. Ireceived a lot of opinions from oth-ers within our own organization,”replied one participant.

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About the Author Allan Smith is Canadianwestern operations manager, DevelopmentDimensions International

I introduced each of the sessions and stressed their importance in defining the organization through good management practices

— D. Stokes


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Getting the support from all corners of the organizationwas not an easy task. “Initially, it was not easy to convincethe supervisors that training was needed, but they soon real-ized the importance,” Anderson said. In order to ensure asuccessful implementation, all levels of management atEVCP were made aware of the initiative, so that they couldcontribute to its success.

Part of the success also resulted from the internal com-munications strategy and high-level executive involvement,both reinforcing the company’s value and commitment todeveloping its own leaders. “I introduced each of the ses-sions and stressed their importance in defining the organiza-tion through good management practices,” said DougStokes, vice president, operations, EVCP.

EVCP, like many other organizations today, is faced withthe rising rates of retirement as baby boomers exit theworkforce and are replaced with younger talent. EVCP’svoluntary turnover and retirement rates are lower than theindustry average, but nevertheless significant. Therefore, itis increasingly important to build a new set of skills andtools for all new leaders, in order to expand the base ofresources and talents available to address the issues thathappen daily.

A major culture change in leadership style is currentlyunderway. In the past, leadership or management was definedmore as a top-down approach, and today’s leadership style ismore focused on coaching and feedback from its own teammembers. EVCP clearly understands what is needed in today’scompetitive workforce and in recruitment in the coal industry.Their goals are to make EVCP the best place to work, toincrease safety and quality, as well as crew-based efficiencies,while continuously attracting new talent and retaining the bestemployees. Anderson simply stated, “we lead through our ownpeople.”

The Elk Valley Coal sponsors of this initiative continue todemonstrate commitment and a strong desire to further thedevelopment of their leaders. This approach will ensure theyrealize great outcomes for their investment. CIM

AchievementsA little recognition

Suncor Energy has ranked among the top 10 energy com-panies in Canada. The 2007 Corporate Social ResponsibilityReport published in Maclean’s magazine recognizes the com-pany’s leadership on climate change issues.

Order of CanadaRick George, president and CEO, Suncor Energy, was

named an officer of the Order of Canada. He was selected forhis “leadership in the development of Canada’s naturalresources sector, his efforts to provide economic opportuni-ties to aboriginal communities and his commitment to sus-tainable development.”

news

The 20th annual gala dinner for theCanadian Mining Hall of Fame tookplace on January 17 at the Royal YorkHotel in Toronto, and over 700 peoplejoined together to celebrate the achieve-ments of the five outstanding inductees.

Master of Ceremonies PierreLassonde, chairman, Newmont MiningCorporation, led the night with humouras great moments in Canadian mineralshistory were remembered.

The five inductees were:Carroll O. Brawner, co-founder of

Golder Brawner and Associates (todayGolder Associates), is world-renownedfor his contributions to open-pit min-ing and geotechnical engineering.During his years as a consultant, heprovided technical guidance on thedesign and construction of many of theworld’s largest surface mines. Havingearned a reputation as the best personto solve and prevent geotechnical prob-lems, Brawner became an authority onthe design, construction and mainte-nance of stable tailings dams. Sincebecoming a professor of mining engi-neering at the University of BritishColumbia in 1978, he has continued towork as a specialist consultant and amember of international review boardsand panels.

Johannes J. Brummer was one ofCanada’s most accomplished explorationgeologists. Throughout a career thatbegan in Africa’s Copperbelt and spannedfive decades in Canada, he continuallypioneered the development of innovativeexploration techniques, contributing tothe discovery of at least 10 mines on twocontinents. Working with FalconbridgeNickel Mines in the 1960s, he helpedfind three new deposits in the Manitobanickel belt. In the 1970s, as explorationmanager for Canadian Occidental, hewas instrumental in discovering the ura-nium potential in Saskatchewan, includ-ing the discovery of the two McCleanLake uranium deposits and the JEBdeposit. Finally, in the 1980s, his discov-ery of kimberlites in the Kirkland Lake

area established him as one of the pio-neers of Canadian diamond exploration.

Ernest Craig was the first generalmanager of Falconbridge Nickel Mines,building a mine anda townsite in the late1920s that becamethe foundation oftoday’s XstrataNickel. Through hisleadership and man-agement, Craighelped transform aremote Ontariocountryside into aworld-class miningand metallurgicalcomplex, includingbuilding the townand servicing it witha hospital andschool. His accom-plishments didn’tstop there. With hisbrother Robert, hehelped design theCraig bit, a detach-able drill bit thattripled drilling pro-ductivity. After hisretirement, he con-sulted for VenturesLimited, saw meritin a nepheline syen-

ite deposit in the Peterborough area, andwas appointed president and generalmanager of American Nepheline (nowIndusmin Ltd.).

February 2008 | 19

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news

Chester F. Millar kicked off an illus-trious career in the mid-1960s by dis-covering a copper-gold deposit thatbecame the Afton mine near Kamloops.In the early 1970s, he headed to thewestern United States, where he pio-neered the use of heap leaching toprocess low-grade gold ores and demon-strated the method at several open-pitmines. One of the mining industry’smost successful company builders, hehelped transform Glamis Gold andEldorado Gold from junior explorationcompanies into substantial gold produc-ers. He contributed to the early growthof Alamos Gold and Castle Gold, andprovided guidance to many other juniorcompanies.

David A. Thompson contributed tothe spectacular growth and prudentfinancial management of what was tobecome Teck Cominco Ltd. As vicepresident of finance for TeckCorporation in the late 1980s, he

helped structure the transaction inwhich Teck joined forces with foreignpartners to buy 31 per cent of ComincoLtd. Fifteen years later, in 2001, thetwo companies merged to become aworld leader in the production of zinc

and metallurgical coal and a major pro-ducer of copper, gold and specialtymetals. Regarded as one of theshrewdest strategic thinkers in theCanadian mining industry, Thompsonstructured deals throughout the 1990s


.

Photo courtesy of Keith Houghton Photography Ltd.

that allowed Teck to expand its metal-lurgical coal interests, leading to theconsolidation of the company’s coalassets and those of Fording and Luscarinto the Elk Valley Coal Partnership.As CEO of Cominco in the late 1990s,he helped transform it into a worldleader of zinc production.

CIM is a proud sponsor of theCanadian Mining Hall of Fame, sup-porting the recognition of the keenindividuals who have shaped today’sindustry. CIM

Movin’ on upThe Federated School of Mines willwelcome a new executive director —Paul Hébert, current executivedirector of MiHR. Hébert has spentthe last 10 years with MiHR develop-ing solutions to the industry’simpending human resources crisis.Replacing him will be RyanMontpellier, current director ofoperations at MiHR.

Ahmed Zamin is now global salesdirector of Koch Knight. Most recently,he was managing director of CTIGrinding Media.

New chief geologist for Cash Minerals,Michael Carew, is developing andmanaging exploration programs inBritish Columbia, Labrador and theYukon. He joined the company about ayear ago as project geologist.

Thompson Creek’s board of directorshas been making changes: presidentand CEO Kevin Loughrey becamechairman; Timothy Haddon took onthe role as lead director; and Thomas J.O’Neil was the latest addition to theboard.

Anthony Makuch will become presi-dent and CEO of Lake Shore GoldCorp. Currently, he is senior vice pres-ident and COO of FNX Mining.

François-Philippe Champagne becamestrategic development director forAMEC, following a career with ABB inSwitzerland.

February 2008 | 21

The Canadian mineral exploration, mining andrelated technology, service and supplier indus-tries have worked in conjunction with acade-mia, research organizations and governments tocreate the Canadian Mining Innovation Council

(CMIC) — a new research and innovation network. CMICis comprised of a consortium of industry, academic and gov-ernment leaders whose mandate is to strengthen the com-petitiveness of a responsible Canadian mining industry byrenewing a commitment to mining research excellenceacross the country.

Canada enjoys a pre-eminent role as the global leader inmineral exploration, mining and knowledge-based servicesand technologies. Still, our mining and mineral processingsector faces key challenges related to R&D, innovation andcommercialization. In particular, there is a need for techno-logical solutions to advance sustainable mining, meet envi-ronmental standards and regulations, reduce costs, increasevalue added, and protect the health and safety of workers.There is also a lack of efficient and cost-effective access toR&D (both nationally and globally), as well as a shortage ofengineers and scientists that is not being met by enrolmentin most university mining departments. Furthermore,Canada is not capitalizing fully from the commercial bene-fits of R&D for domestic and international markets.

Canada has a national mining research presence throughindustry, university, research organizations and governmentcentres, but overall, these efforts are fragmented. There havebeen many mining-related research initiatives over the years,but there is currently no overall strategy for linking industryneeds with public-private R&D capability.

At present, mining research in Canada too often occurs insilos, with researchers and research institutions workingwithout an awareness of other efforts and competing forresearch funding when there could have been an opportu-nity for collaboration. While there have been a number ofsuccessful regional and national initiatives, this lack ofcooperation has resulted in a duplication of some researchand gaps in other areas.

The absence of a comprehensive understanding of theresearch community’s efforts has also led to a lack of aware-ness by companies as to who in Canada could best addresstheir problems, resulting in a shift offshore of some research.Furthermore, Canadian companies have not been able totake full advantage of technical breakthroughs stemmingfrom research centres in this country.

To address these challenges, federal, provincial and terri-torial mines ministers endorsed the creation of CMIC attheir annual conference in September 2007. They also calledfor a pan-Canadian mining research and innovation strategyto be developed and presented at their September 2008 con-ference.

innovation

The Canadian MiningInnovation CouncilA bold approach to a sure future

by Stephen Lucas, Ferri Hassani,Gordon Peeling, Jon Baird and Jean Vavrek


formers that CMIC will be able to provide. CMIC willstrengthen the competitiveness of a responsible Canadianmining industry by restoring mining research excellenceacross Canada.

For those who want to actively shape the future of min-ing research and innovation in Canada, this is a great oppor-tunity to get involved. Additional information on theCouncil can be obtained from Michel Plouffe at the secre-tariat ([email protected]). CIM

innovation

CMIC is a not-for-profit entity administered by a board ofdirectors and a secretariat, which will in turn be supportedby Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and CIM. TheCouncil’s inaugural annual general meeting will be held inMay 2008, in conjunction with the CIM Conference andExhibition in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Council’s overarching objectives are:• To improve mining research, innovation and commer-

cialization efforts in order to strengthen Canada’s pre-eminent role as a global leader inmineral exploration, mining andknowledge-based services and tech-nologies.

• To increase the supply of highly quali-fied graduates from mining and earthscience faculties to meet the significantcurrent and future demands of industry,governments and academia.With the leadership of a strong transi-

tional board of directors, the Council willdevelop the pan-Canadian research andinnovation strategy in 2008 through aseries of regional workshops. The strategywill address Canada’s key challengesrelated to mining R&D, innovation, com-mercialization and availability of highlyqualified people.

The success of Canadian miningdepends on our ability to innovate. Along-term vision and strategy is needed toaddress mining research and innovationissues if we are to maintain our globalleadership role. A new plan of action isrequired to generate the necessary results,supported by the opportunity forimproved coordination and collaborationbetween research users, funders and per-

February 2008 | 23

Stephen LucasAssistant Deputy Minister,Minerals and Metals Sector,Natural Resources Canada

Ferri HassaniWebster Chair professor,Department of Mining, Metalsand Materials Engineering, McGillUniversity

Gordon PeelingPresident and CEO,The Mining Association of Canada

Jon BairdManaging Director, CanadianAssociation of Mining Equipment and Services for Export

Jean VavrekExecutive Director, CanadianInstitute of Mining, Metallurgyand Petroleum

contributors

In today’s information age, the adage “knowledge ispower” has never rung so true. Ensuring that an organiza-tion’s knowledge base extends to the far reaches of its enter-prise can’t help but have a positive impact on operations.However, until recently, mining field operations were oftenleft out of the loop, as extending high-bandwidth communi-cations into harsh environments often proved to be impos-sible due to thermal extremes, physical hazards and thepresence of caustic chemicals.

Fortunately, advances in the design and manufacture ofextremely rugged fibre optic cables have allowed for the suc-cessful installation of 10 gigabit transmission links in even

the harshest of environments,including mining operations.

Digging for solutionsThe experience of CONSOL Energy Inc. — the U.S.’s

largest underground coal producer — exemplifies how tight

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innovation


by Ed Sullivan and Bob Booze

In the loopDelivering high-speed communications into harsh environments

buffered cables can help carry the efficiency of enterpriseresource planning (ERP) communications into even themost challenging work environments. Like other industriesthat operate within demanding environments, engineers atCONSOL sought to fully extend the high-speed communi-cations previously restricted to administration areas.

“We use mining systems that are highly mechanized andcapital-intensive and they operate in tough conditions, somaintenance of these systems is a normal occurrence,”explained Tom Prokop, manager of site support for CON-SOL. “We need access to the corporate network to allow thetracking of our maintenance in real time. However, it is notuncommon for our main shafts to go down anywhere from300 to 2,000 feet and then have mine entries that extendhorizontally for three to twenty miles. It can take up to two

Optical Cable Corporation (OCC) pioneered the design and productionof tight-buffered cables for demanding field applications.

Advances in the design and manufacture of extremely ruggedfiber optic cables have now enabled the successful installation of

10-Gigabit transmission links in the most unlikely places

innovation

hours — depending on whatis going on underground —to travel from the warehouseto the active mining areas.”

CONSOL’s switch to SAPin 2002 provided the impetusfor Prokop and his team tosearch for a fibre optic cablethat could withstand themining environment, know-ing that copper conductorswould not work because of the excessive noise generated bymining equipment.

“We found very few fibre optic cables that filled the billfor our tough demands, but we finally narrowed it down tothe tight-buffered cable from Optical Cable Corporation,”recalled Prokop. “We’ve actually had roof falls bury the cablebetween rocks and still not lose data communications.”

Safety issues also played a role in CONSOL’s choice ofcable. “All underground cables have to carry the Mine SafetyHealth Administration certification to make sure they willnot propagate a flame or give off toxic fumes,” said Prokop.

Going to extremes Ruggedized, tight-buffered fibre optic cable derives much

of its reliability and performance advantages from its basicdesign. As opposed to loose-tube designs, which only haveone thin coating surrounding each optical fibre, ruggedizedtight-buffered fibres have two. In addition to the primaryfibre coating, each tight-buffered fibre has a secondarybuffer that, together with the primary coating, reaches“heavy weight” proportions that are over six times thickerthan the primary coating alone. In the breakout cabledesign, there is yet another layer of protection. Each tight-buffered fibre is surrounded by aramid yarns and a tightbound elastomeric jacket. Even at this sub-cable level, thesub units are very crush-resistant, and able to withstandenvironmental extremes.

In the case of OCC, the sub cables are helically strandedand surrounded by a special formulation, pressure-extrudedouter jacket that locks all of the sub elements of the cable intoplace. The cable structure therefore acts as a unit, much likea rope. This makes the cable usable in vertical installations, aswell as greatly enhancing its crush resistance, jacket tearresistance and overall survivability in harsh environments.

Up to speed undergroundWith the fibre optic cable installation at the CONSOL mine

sites complete, Prokop’s team could now take full advantage ofthe company’s ERP system. “Our maintenance crew can now

access all maintenance records, look at schematics and orderparts,” said Prokop. “In the past, they would have to exit thetunnel, get a manual and open a ‘shopping cart’ above ground– it would waste an hour, on average. But this ruggedized fibreoptic cabling has brought the time-saving convenience ofenterprise-wide computing into our domain now.”

In a time when connectivity is crucial, high-speed,ruggedized tight-buffered fibre optic cables enable harsh-environment industries to take advantage of the ultra high-speed links once reserved for white-collar campuses andadministrative data centres. The environments might beharsh, but the future of high-speed communications appearsanything but. CIM

February 2008 | 25

About the Authors Ed Sullivan is a Hermosa Beach, California-basedwriter. He has researched and written about healthcare, finance, real estateand high technology for over 25 years. Bob Booze is the vice president ofmarketing for Optical Cable Corporation of Roanoke, Virginia.

Cross-section of the Optical Cable Corporation ruggedized cable.

IAMGOLD and COREM jointlyreceived the 2007 ADRIQ (IndustrialResearch Association of Quebec)award in the Process Innovation cat-egory, recognizing their commitmentto innovative practices. As a multi-industry organization, ADRIQaccepts nominations from variouscompanies involved in research. Theaward presentation ceremony washeld at Windsor Station in Montrealon November 22, 2007.

The celebrated technology isactually a fresh take on the tradi-tional cyanidation process — a

newer version ofan old technique.

Donald Leroux, director of technol-

Award received for reducedcyanide consumption

From left to right: Claude Demers, ADRIQ, Claude Gagnon, COREM (research scientist), Gilles Landry, IAMGOLD(Sleeping Giant mill), Yves Harvey, COREM (executive director), Pierre Pelletier, IAMGOLD, Jean Belzile, École deTechnologie Supérieure, Alain Coulombe, SolVision. Photo courtesy of ADRIQ.

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innovation

ogy at COREM, said the new process basically consists ofhandling the coarse particles separately from the fines. Inthe traditional process, an excess of cyanide is consumedin the side reactions, and since having implemented thenew method, cyanide consumption has been reduced con-siderably — by about 30 per cent.

The results are a huge success for both the company andthe environment. “Since only a fraction of the cyanide isused for leaching gold (the bulk of cyanide is consumed byminerals other than gold), a 30 per centreduction of cyanide consumption makesthe amount of cyanide discharged to theenvironment drop by an even greater per-centage. The reduction of cyanide con-sumption has no negative effect on goldrecovery, and in addition to the significanteconomic benefits, the plant reports asubstantial drop of the weak acid disso-ciable cyanides contained in the plant tail-ings, a notable environmental perform-ance improvement,” said Leroux.

COREM is owned by a consortium of10 companies (IAMGOLD being one ofthem), and the idea for the new processcame up in a members’ meeting aboutthree years ago. Since then, the techniquehas met with great success. The idea itselfwas developed jointly and Leroux givesfull credit to COREM’s members. The com-panies were brainstorming, seeking out anew proposal to research, and came upwith the size-by-size cyanidation process.

During the three years since, about$800,000 has been invested in the projectand its implementation. The technology(developed and patented by COREM) wasimplemented last year by IAMGOLD attheir Sleeping Giant mill near Amos,Quebec. This first and successful large-scale application of the technology wasmade possible by a well-seasoned team ofplant metallurgists and research scientistsand the strong support of IAMGOLD man-agement. “The process was initially com-missioned at the mill as a pilot process forabout one month before being perma-nently implemented,” said Leroux, whohighlighted the individuals who reallydrove the project: Pierre Pelletier, GillesLandry and Martine Deshaies fromIAMGOLD, and Claude Gagnon, MichelTurbide, Ahmed Bouajila and MohamedOurriban from COREM.

Of course, as with any new technol-ogy, there is always room for improve-

ment. Currently, the size-by-size cyanidation process isbeing further developed using ore samples fromIAMGOLD and other COREM members who can keep theexclusive rights of this patented technology for a periodof up to five years.

With a 30 per cent reduction in cyanide consumption andin the amount of cyanide dumped into the environment, it’shard to go wrong. For COREM and its members, the resultsspeak for themselves. CIM

February 2008 | 27

innovation


The CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories(MMSL) are federal government research laboratories withinNatural Resources Canada. They provide research and scien-tific advice to the mining and minerals industries, and toprovincial/territorial and federal government departmentsinvolved in promoting or regulating these industries.

The following is a brief synopsis highlighting some of theinnovative research projects currently being spearheaded byCANMET-MMSL in their effort to improve health, safety andproductivity in the mine environment.

The influence of various fibre types on the static anddynamic response of shotcrete

As mines continue to dig deeper and in-situ stressesincrease, the need to understand ground support system

responses and toimprove uponthem is impera-

tive. Currently in the mining industry, shotcrete is used pri-marily in permanent openings, such as shaft stations, refugestations and vehicle bays, although there is a trend towards itsincreased usage throughout the mining cycle. In someinstances, it has even become the support of choice.

Incorporating fibres into the shotcrete mixture minimizesthe necessity for the labour-intensive process of mesh instal-lation, thus reducing cycle time. These fibres impart fracturetoughness and crack growth resistance to the shotcrete,which has traditionally been the role of the mesh. Using

fibre-reinforced shotcrete (FRS) also enhances safety, as itallows workers to apply support while remaining away fromunsupported ground.

However, there are many different types and geometries offibre currently available, each performing differently. CANMET-MMSL will prepare, test and evaluate shotcreteproperties related specifically to these fibres, including the dif-fering types, materials, geometries and proportions. The aimis to supply sound scientific data to mining engineers, toenable them to determine the appropriate fibres required forsafe ground support at their site. This project will provide anopportunity to enhance the effectiveness of ground supportsystems, as well as provide a platform for CANMET-MMSL todevelop future research into determining and quantifying theresponse of FRS with respect to dynamic forces, such as thosecaused by rockburst events.

Dynamic performance of ground support elementsIncreasingly, the dynamic capabilities of ground support

has become one of the key design considerations whenselecting yielding elements for highly stressed, burst-proneor high deformation environments. Since 2003, CANMET-MMSL’s Ground Control Program has been evaluating thedynamic performance of various ground support elementsto fulfill its mandate related to the safety of undergroundworkers. In addition to its continued testing of tendons,CANMET-MMSL has spearheaded a new project to gatherall information available regarding the dynamic parametersof ground support elements. The objective is to provide themining industry with concise and up-to-date data regard-ing dynamic tendon support. It is anticipated that thisinformation will facilitate support selection and design aswell as identify existing gaps in the information. Under theleadership of CANMET-MMSL, its self-developed testingprotocols are currently being assessed by the AmericanSociety for Testing and Materials Inc. The acceptance of thestandard test procedure will become official at the begin-ning of 2008.

Oh Canada!Overview of innovative research projects from CANMET-MMSL

by Louise Laverdure, Marcel Laflamme,Michel Grenier and Jean-Marie Fecteau

The effects of dynamic loading on (a) standard ground support and (b) dynamic rock-burst-resistant ground support in a base metal mine.

Testing of various types of shotcrete on static and dynamic response.

Online monitoringof oil sands extraction

The extraction ofoil from deep oilsands reservoirsrelies on thermalprocesses such ascyclic steam stimu-lation (CSS), devel-oped by ImperialOil Resources Ltd.CANMET-MMSL,in collaborationwith Imperial, has developed a passive seismic monitoringtechnology that allows for the real-time detection of breaks inoil well casings under thermal stresses caused by the CSSprocess. This early detection saves well downtime, avoids var-ious productivity issues and allows the failures to be fixedbefore they become more costly.

The transfer of this CANMET-developed microseismictechnology to the private sector has led to a solid investmentof over $20 million by the oil industry in monitoring equip-ment alone. Passive seismic monitoring is now a well-estab-lished technique, helping heavy oil companies in westernCanada to extract oil in a safer and more economical manner.

Development of a diesel-electric hybrid loaderLow-emission vehicles are becoming more popular as a result

of increased concerns with the health of mine employees and thelong-term environmental impact of diesel emissions. CANMET–MMSL, in collaboration with Mining TechnologiesInternational, is working on the development of the hybrid LT-270 loader — the first of its kind worldwide. This diesel-electrichybrid vehicle combines the internal combustion engine of aconventional vehicle with battery and electric motors. A studyperformed by CANMET-MMSL demonstrated significant emis-sion reductions, ranging between 25 and 40 per cent, accompa-nied by similar reductions in fuel consumption and heat, with apositive impact on the ventilation requirements.

Following an extensive period of testing the prototype infour underground mines, the objective is to develop a widerange of equipment using this source of energy.

February 2008 | 29

Three dimensional view of a typical pad showing thegeological formations and inclined oil wells reaching theoil-bearing clearwater formation.

Diesel-electric hybrid loader prototype.

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innovation


Diesel equipment in mines —innovative approaches and alternatives

In spite of concerns over toxic emissions, powerfulmobile diesel production equipment continues to be theworkhorse of underground mining. Nevertheless, dieselengines are likely to come under closer scrutiny in thefuture due to several factors. These include questionsregarding the efficient use of diesel engines in very deepmines, the availability of clean flame-proofed engines for aresurgent coal mining sector, increasing health concerns(including the impact of nano-particles from dieselexhaust) and the need to adapt to more stringent green-house gas emissions standards.

In an effort to meet these challenges, innovativeapproaches and alternative technologies are being consideredincluding:• the development of alternative low-carbon cycle fuels

(biodiesels); • study of the impact of great depth on diesel engine opera-

tion and emissions profiles;• the evaluation of the impact of high filtration efficiency

exhaust modules on approved coal mine engines;• size-distribution analysis of ultra-fine diesel exhaust par-

ticulate matter; and

• research and development into alternatives to diesel(diesel-electric hybrids and fuel cells).Each one of the above elements is being addressed in

CANMET-MMSL’s five-year diesel research plan. Results willhelp protect mine workers and have an impact on workplaceregulations.

Anti-vibration handle for pneumatic rock drills Pneumatic jackleg rock drills are commonly used in

underground mining operations. However, these tools areknown to expose a majority of their operators to high levelsof hand-arm vibration that, after several years of operation,often culminate in health-related problems such as Raynaud’ssyndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Until now, no efficient personal safety device was availablethat would protect pneumatic rock drill operators againsthand-arm vibration. To address this problem, CANMET-MMSL and the University of Sherbrooke, in collaborationwith the manufacturer Parts HeadQuarters Inc., have devel-oped an anti-vibration handle for jackleg rock drills thatreduces the level of harmful vibration transmitted to minersby 60 per cent.

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Diesel engine being prepared in CANMET-MMSL’s dynamometer test cell.

Anti-vibration rockdrill handle at the Experimental Mine.

innovation

Explosive-free rock breakageThe objective of the explosive-free rock breakage (EFRB)

initiative is to develop a toolbox of non-explosive rock-break-ing technologies that would be available for undergrounddevelopment at significantly higher advance rates, with costscomparable to conventional drill and blast techniques.

While there have been successes in specific EFRB applica-tions in the past, they have not led to widespread use. Possiblebreakthroughs in this technology have garnered serious inter-est by mining companies that have already funded a numberof large-scale EFRB projects. There are strategic drivers withinthe industry, such as an operational shift from open pit tounderground mining, faster accessibility to ore bodies andreduction in development costs, which are currently makingEFRB an option that is being reconsidered by seven miningcompanies, including Agnico-Eagle, AREVA, Barrick Gold,CAMECO, Vale Inco, IAMGOLD and Rio Tinto. These com-panies, along with Hydro-Quebec, the Société de recherche etdéveloppement minier (SOREDEM) and CANMET-MMSL,are participating in a cooperative initiative that will comparekey performance measures for EFRB technologies to conven-tional drill-and-blast techniques as a means of ongoing bench-marking. Each selected area of research will be evaluatedagainst rigorous success criteria meant to avoid pitfalls and

unsatisfactory project results, such as the production ofincomplete technology or that of limited operational applica-tion. These performance measures will include cost, energyconsumption, advancement rates, as well as health and safety,environment and ground control implications.

Heat stress issues in Canadian underground minesRecent high metal prices have been driving mine explo-

ration to record depths. In high humidity conditions, this canresult in a work environment in which temperatures reach an

February 2008 | 31

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Project7 2/6/08 4:39 PM Page 1Laboratory testing of plasma torch for thermal rock fragmentation.

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macfactsAccording to the Statistics

Canada catalogue 88-202

entitled Industrial Researchand Development, Canadianmining companies invested

slightly over half a billiondollars in research and development in 2005.

The Canadian corporateR&D database, RE$EARCHInfosource Inc. (2006),ranked eight mining andoil sands companiesamong the top 100 private-sector R&D investors inCanada in 2005:• Alcan ranked seventh

at $275 million • Suncor ranked 19th

at $108 million • Novelis (aluminium

rolling/recycling firm)ranked 47th at $50 million

• Syncrude ranked 50th at $44 million

• Inco (now Vale Inco)ranked 52nd at $42 million

• Falconbridge (nowXstrata) ranked 66th at $35 million

• Suncor ranked 80th at $22 million

• Rio Tinto ranked 94th at $16 million

excess of 35 degrees Celsius. This is a product of several factors including: the auto-compression of air ventilation, the creation of high virgin rock temperatures due tothe geothermal gradient and heat generation from large production equipment.

The Deep Mining Research Consortium is presently funding a heat stressresearch project focusing on:• the level of effort involved in conventional mining tasks; • the benefit of work-rest periods; • the impact of conventional garments and safety equipment; • the usefulness of the standard wet-bulb globe temperature index; and• the impact of a sedentary life style, obesity and type-2 diabetes in an aging workforce.

The objective is to protect the mining workforce from heat-stress by making acost-effective use of state-of-the-art techniques and technology.

Innovative mine ventilation design criteria based on the life-cycle airflow requirements

Mine ventilation is known to be one of the highest energy consumers associatedwith the mineral extraction process. Although attempts are being made to automatemine ventilation components, the ability to develop and implement a cost-effectivesystem that takes into consideration mine-wide ventilation requirements through-out the life of its operation has been beyond our reach.

Process simulation tools such as AutoMod™ are offering an alternative methodof defining the ventilation requirements in the production areas of a mine. In con-junction with ventilation modelling software, the primary and secondary ventila-tion requirements can be defined at any point in space and time and subsequentlymanaged for optimal cost efficiency. This life-cycle airflow demand schedule (asopposed to peak ventilation demand) would then become the basis for the ventila-tion design process, thereby minimizing power consumption and, in turn, ventila-tion capital and operating costs.

About the Authors Louise Laverdure is director, processing and environmental research;Marcel Laflamme is program manager, mine mechanization and automation; Michel Grenier is pro-gram manager, mine air quality and ventilation; and Jean-Marie Fecteau is program manager,ground control — all at CANMET-MMSL, Natural Resources Canada.

CIM

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Trust the experts at Schlumberger Water Services to lead your project and provide accurate resultsthroughout the life of your mining operation. Visit our website today for more information on howyou can achieve maximum mining production through effective water management.

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We believe that partnership meansunderstanding, anticipating andresponding to your changing needsand challenges.

Partnership is more than providingproducts or services. It’s workingtogether to deliver the blastingoutcomes your operation needs.

We’re committed to creating solutionsthat support your performance targets andreinforce your position in the industry. Atthe same time we’re determined to deliverthe level of service you expect every day.

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innovation

Sometimes the optimal toolbecomes available to make realimprovements on the job. ReinhardWeins, owner of R.W. Consultingand Training Services Limited, hasseen major improvements to histraining program since acquiringthe Simlog Off-Highway TruckSimulator a couple of years ago.

In business for three years now,R.W. Consulting and TrainingServices Limited, of Sparwood,British Columbia, trains individualsfor the open-pit mining industry.Since purchasing the Simlog softwaretwo years ago, they noticed a signifi-cant increase in trainee knowledgeand performance, and a much-appre-ciated decrease in machinery damage.Weins noted that the trainees’ per-formance has improved by about 70 to 80 per cent and lessmachinery is being damaged. Thanks to this software, traineesare much more prepared by the time they are operating realequipment on an actual site. Normally, it takes about a day ortwo practising on the simulaor before continuing to real hands-on experience.

The Simlog Off-Highway Truck Simulator is a PC-basedsoftware designed to train open-pit mine workers on how toproperly and safely use heavy-duty mine machinery. Completewith a chair, controls and joystick, the machinery simulator is,in essence, a sort of video game. On the screen in front of youis a view of the mine site and a partial shot of the equipmentyou are working on, designed to mimic the exact scene youwould see looking out the window of a truck. When in train-ing, the software records every move and therefore every error,and prepares a detailed report. This, in turn, can be used by thetrainer to evaluate the trainee and his or her strengths or weak-

nesses, thereby focusing on the areas thatmay need more or less attention.

Weins has been in the mining business for about 30 yearsnow, and although this technology is not a new one, the factthat it is now PC-based makes it much more affordable andaccessible for his training service company. The software runson a regular computer, and since it can be used on overheadprojection screens or laptops, it is very portable. An immer-sive software can run upwards of $500,000, while Simlog’ssimulator is much more affordable at about $10,000.

Before R.W. Consulting incorporated the technology, theyweren’t engaged in computer-based training. Trainers wouldoperate the trucks with the trainees until they were deemed fit

February 2008 | 35

by Carolyn Hersey

A view from the cabin of Simlog's Off-Highway Trucksimulation software as the student learns to drivemine haul roads.

Optimizing training through innovative toolsAt the wheel of a virtual off-highway truck

innovation


and ready to run things on their own.Over the years, errors occurred, whichin mining can lead to costly repairs.

One of Simlog’s many benefits, asWeins pointed out, is not only are theysaving money on the initial cost of thesoftware, but they’re saving in the longrun as well. “I would much rather atrainee crash on the computer and beable to correct the error right then andthere, than have them crash in a truckand have to pay thousands of dollarsworth of damage.”

In the future, R.W. Consulting aimsto integrate the technology into theirhiring process. The simulator could beused to test the skill level of potentialemployees. Weins also noted thatalthough the simulator has immenselyimproved the company’s training per-formance, it’s equally important tounderstand that it is the trainers whosimply cannot be replaced. R.W.Consulting owes most of its success to

the fact that they strive to hire slightlyolder and very experienced trainers.

The Simlog simulator is an excel-lent tool for instructors to use duringtraining, but it’s important to remem-ber that it is just that — a tool. “Amachine can never replace a livehuman being, capable of making com-passionate, applicable and sometimescrucial decisions that only a humancan,” said Weins.

As for improvements, Weins saidthere are very few to be made. He’s con-stantly in contact with Simlog, stayingon top of any progress the technologymay make as time goes on. “TheSimlog Off-Highway Truck Simulatoris a great tool, and R.W. Consulting ismore than proud to offer this level ofsophisticated training and technology,”he added. With reduced initial costs,reduced property damage andimproved trainee performance, youcan’t go wrong. CIM

The PC controls for Simlog's Off-Highway Truck PersonalSimulator are based on an inexpensive and easily trans-portable commercial USB steering wheel, gear shifterand pedal set, and integrates a replica USB lever thatserves as the retarder.

08Congrès et Salon commercial de l’ICM

CIM Conference and Exhibition

Moving Beyond:

Innovationfor a Sustainable Future

May 4–7, 2008Edmonton, Alberta

www.cim.org/edmonton2008

innovation

The introduction of new technology inmine operations has provided real opportuni-ties for increased efficiencies and productiongains that can translate into enhanced profits.This has largely been the case with the inte-gration of computing and network technol-ogy into surface mining operations. However,embracing new technology does not guaran-tee positive results. The expectations andanticipated improvements should be deter-mined well before implementation.

Wireless tire pressure and temperaturemonitoring systems (TPMS) are an excellentexample of an existing technology that canhelp provide savings through lowered main-tenance costs and increased productivity.

Off-the-road (OTR) tires are often out ofservice before their expected useful life isachieved. In many instances, this occursbecause they have been operating at morethan 100 per cent of some combination of the rated load,speed or distance-carrying capacity. Any movement toimprove any or all of these operating parameters will posi-tively affect tire life.

Regular checks of operating tires are mandatory and inte-gral to any good preventative maintenance program. A wire-less TPMS can provide real-time, automated performancemeasurements of tires operating underharsh conditions. Prompt warnings oralarms signal when a tire has exceededoperating capacities, enabling mainte-nance providers to proactively addresscondition alerts before irreparable damageoccurs, thereby providing savings throughlowered maintenance costs

and increased pro-ductivity.

Under pressureA tire’s ton kilometre per hour (TKPH)

is a theoretical measure of the work doneby a tire and is the accepted standard usedtoday by manufacturers and tire experts.Tire manufacturers understand that tirelife is dramatically affected when temper-ature and pressure are elevated beyondacceptable parameters and thereby exceedthis value.

At Mine Expo 2000, Larry Hurst, manager of GoodyearOTR programs, stated: “The traditional TKPH/TMPH for-mula uses established averages, which do not account forgrades, which shift weight from one end of the truck to theother, increasing tire temperature, and other variables. Thekey to maximizing tire life is knowing when the tires areentering the heat danger zone and taking steps to keep them

February 2008 | 37

An ounce of preventionThe practical implementation of a wireless tire pressuremonitoring system for mine sites

by Chris Brothen and Terry Lee105064, Russia, Moscow, St. Staraya Basmannaya, 13-3

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Photo courtesy of Kal Tire

innovation


out of that zone by putting the truck on a different route,performing maintenance, or some other activity.”

It follows then, that an OTR tire will experience maxi-mum wear in the shortest period of time when the truck isin an overload condi-tion, transporting anon-centred load, atmaximum speed, over along distance and at ahigh ambient tempera-ture. Manufacturerscommonly claim that atruck overloaded by 10per cent will experiencea 20 per cent reductionin tire life. An assump-tion can be made thatunder-inflation willdecrease tire life by asimilar percentage. Weknow that when either of these conditions is considered – incombination with speed and distance travelled – it willlikely result in elevated internal tire temperatures, which isknown to affect tire performance and shorten life.

At a recent Michelin presentation concerning the globaltire crisis, it was suggested that good pressure maintenancecan yield approximately 30 per cent greater tire life as com-pared to when pressure control is average.

Benefits of TPMS technol-ogy

The regular monitoring ofheat and pressure variationsin tires permits timely inter-vention, thus ensuring maxi-mum performance and tirelife. When operating at theoptimum pressure and tem-perature, the most obviousbenefit is an increase in theaverage operating tire hours.It should be noted, however,that without well-con-structed and regularly main-

tained haul roads and loading and disposal areas, tire lifeaverages are not likely to increase substantially.

The availability of trucks is a quantifiable benefit. Lessmachine downtime due to tire-related issues will most cer-

Wireless TPMS components

The current demand for skilled mining professionals has created an unprecedented

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innovation

tainly enhance levels of production. A decrease in a tire’srolling resistance, as a result of well-maintained air pressure,will also providesavings in fuel con-sumption. Thisbenefit is more dif-ficult to quantify assite and equipmentconditions can alsoadversely affectfuel economies.Nevertheless, thepremise ofenhanced fuel effi-ciencies on prop-erly inflated tires isvalid.

All tires, regard-less of brand ortype, are prone toair loss over time;this is especiallydramatic on the dual tire pairs of haul trucks. Without airpressure monitoring, there is potential for one of the tires in

a dual set to develop a low pressure condition that may goundetected for some time. The other tire in the pairing is

then operating inan overcapacitycondition, as it isrequired to carrymore of the load.The subsequentincrease in pres-sure and tempera-ture can con-tribute to irre-versible tire dam-age. This type ofdamage occurs fre-quently on manysites and can becontrolled throughthe use of a TPMS.

Feeling the heatMonitoring a

tire’s internal temperature is the best way to determinewhether it is operating within the normal parameters. It

February 2008 | 39

innovation


has been noted that low pressures will cause an excessincrease in tire temperature, thereby making it more sus-ceptible to damage and premature failure. The followingis a summary of some of the factors that can contributeto escalated temperatures and decreased tire perform-ance:• Haul cycle distance• Velocity• Road conditions and haul profiles

• Overloading• Load distribution• Tire type and compounds• Outside ambient temperature

The common link to all of these factors in decreased tirelife is heat, generated either through operation or high ambi-ent temperatures.

According to information provided by BridgestoneFirestone’s Off Road Tire Company’s “Hot Pressure

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E+H = IQInnovation Quality

We know Mining!Endress+Hauser has the products, services and solutions to meet all your needs

Under Pressure?Checkout our Cerabar S/Deltabar S pressure transmitters with robust, abrasive and overload resistant ceramic cells. Modular design for various applications.

meters for applications in conductive liquids with high solids content.

Safety and reliability!Gamma Pilot M for level, limit detection or density measurement for larger line sizes. Our compact radiometric transmitter is the solution. Choose from HART, PROFIBUS PA or Foundation Fieldbus protocols for easy integration into your existing systems. SIL2 approved. Hazardous (IS or XP) and non-hazardous versions available.

What effectsmay a TPMS have on an operating min-

ing fleet?

What shouldmining operators expect from a high tech TPMS?

What typesof TPMS exist presently and

how are they integrated and supported?

What arethe features, advantages,

benefits and costs?

What arethe standard requirements

for a mine-based TPMS?

What resultsshould be expected?

Will thetechnology evolve or improve?

The followingquestions

should be answered beforeproceeding

with the implementation ofa TPMS.

innovation

Adjustment Chart,” a tire with a contained air temperatureof 85 degrees Celsius needs immediate attention if irre-versible damage is to be avoided. With a reliable and accu-rate TPMS, users can prevent tires from reaching these tem-peratures and, of equal importance, be capable of determin-ing the optimum operating temperatures and related pre-dicted pressures.

Wireless TPMS system description

Tire monitoring systems for mining equipment are typi-cally comprised of tire-mounted sensors, an onboard proces-sor and wireless connectivity that permit the download oftire pressure and temperature readings. Some systems offeran onboard display of temperatures and pressures for theequipment operators. Contained air pressure and tempera-ture limits are established by the user and warnings and/oralarms are sent to a centralized location or dispatch whenthe limits are violated.

The capture and processing of accurate, real time temper-ature and pressure data from tires is certainly the mainobjective of any wireless TPMS. Transmitting this data sothat the information obtained can be used for immediatemonitoring, or for accessing historical information, is anintegral feature of the system.

Most surface mining operations have installed com-puter-controlled central dispatch systems that coordi-nate mining activities, while also maintaining a two-waydata stream of operational and maintenance between thecentralized control and mining equipment and person-nel. TPMS systems should have the capacity to delivertire data through a handshake protocol to the central sys-tem. Additionally, any TPMS system should have thecapacity to transmit to a wireless access point (WAP) orto a wireless appliance to permit easy access to the data.The objective is to deliver the data and warnings oralarms to the users who have the tire maintenanceresponsibilities.

Choosing a TPMSIt is paramount to have an understanding of the present

state of the systems for mining applications. Although thearchitecture may be similar among available systems, itshould be determined whether the one being considered isscalable to allow for future expansion. As with any technol-ogy-based system, serviceability and support requirementsmust also be identified and considered.

Implementation, as well as operational and maintenancecosts, also need to be determined and included in any cost-benefit analysis. Apart from the obvious savings fromincreased tire life, fuel savings, increased availability ofequipment and intangibles such as enhanced safety shouldalso be taken into account.

Quantitative assessment of the benefits of a TPMSshould be determined over a sufficient period of time to

permit changes to operational and maintenance proce-dures. To accurately quantify the projected savings, allcosts associated with the technology — both direct andindirect — must be considered. Apart from the initialinvestment of system implementation, ongoing mainte-nance and support costs, as well as the cost of integrat-ing the system into existing mine operations must beallowed for. And, of course, collaborative and coopera-tive efforts between mine personnel and the TPMSprovider is the key to ensuring system expectations andgoals are met. CIM

February 2008 | 41

TIC Canada ULC131-26230 Township Road 531A - Acheson Industrial Park, Zone #2Acheson, Alberta T7X 5A4 Canada - 780-960-7450 - www.tic-inc.com

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About the Authors Chris Brothen works in international sales and development forKal Tire, SA, and Terry Lee is the chief technical officer for SSTWireless, Vancouver, British Columbia.

The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Peter Cunningham, EVCC, Elkford, British Columbia,Tim Skinner, Smart Systems Group, Calgary, Alberta, and Carlos Zuñiga F., Kal Tire, Antofagasta, Chile in the preparation of this article.


Les industries canadiennes d’exploration minérale,de technologie minière, de technologie reliée auxmines, de services et de fournitures ont travailléavec les universités, les organismes de recherche etles gouvernements pour créer le Conseil canadien

de l’innovation minière (CCIM) – un nouveau réseau derecherche et d’innovation. Le CCIM est composé d’un consor-tium de chefs de file industriels, académiciens et gouvernemen-taux dont le mandat est de renforcer la compétitivité d’uneindustrie minière canadienne responsable, en renouvelant unengagement à l’excellence en recherche minière à la grandeurdu pays.

Le Canada jouit d’un rôle très important en tant que chef defile mondial en exploration minérale, en exploitation minièreet dans les technologies et les services fondés sur des compé-tences spécialisées. Cependant, nos secteurs d’exploitation etde traitement font face à des défis clés en R et D, en innovationet en commercialisation. Plus spécifiquement, il y a un besoinpour des solutions technologiques afin de faire avancer l’ex-ploitation minière durable, rencontrer les réglementations etles normes environnementales, réduire les coûts, augmenter lavaleur ajoutée et protéger la santé et la sécurité des travailleurs.Il y a aussi un manque d’accès efficace et peu dispendieux à laR et D (au pays et mondialement) et un manque d’ingénieurset de scientifiques; ce manque n’est pas comblé par les inscrip-tions dans la plupart des départements des mines des univer-sités. De plus, le Canada ne profite pas pleinement des béné-fices commerciaux de la R et D sur ses propres marchés et lesmarchés internationaux.

Le Canada effectue de la recherche minière dans lesindustries et les universités ainsi que les organismes et lesagences gouvernementales de recherche, mais, de manièregénérale, ces efforts sont fragmentés. Les années passéesont connu de nombreuses initiatives en recherche minièremais il n’existe actuellement aucune stratégie d’ensemblepour relier les besoins de l’industrie à la R et D publique-privée.

innovationLe Conseil canadiende l’innovationminièreUne approche énergétique à l’innovation minière

par Stephen Lucas, Ferri Hassani,Gordon Peeling, Jon Baird et Jean Vavrek

February 2008 | 43

innovation

Dans le moment, la recherche minière canadienne est cloi-sonnée; les chercheurs et les institutions de recherche travail-lent sans connaître les efforts des autres tout en visant lesmêmes fonds de recherche alors que la collaboration serait pos-sible. Bien qu’il ait eu plusieurs initiatives réussies au niveaurégional et national, ce manque de collaboration a occasionnéla duplication des certaines recherches, tout en laissant deslacunes dans d’autres domaines.

L’absence d’une compréhension globale des efforts de lacommunauté de chercheurs a aussi conduit à un manquede sensibilisation de la part des compagnies quant à qui, auCanada, traitera le mieux leurs problèmes, conduisant à un

déplacement d’une certaine partie de la recherche vers l’é-tranger. De plus, les compagnies canadiennes n’ont pas étécapables de tirer pleinement avantage des découvertestechniques découlant des centres de recherche ici au pays.

Afin d’adresser ces défis, les ministres des mines fédéral,provinciaux et territoriaux ont appuyé la création du CCIMlors de leur conférence annuelle en septembre 2007. Ils ontaussi demandé d’élaborer une stratégie pancanadienne sur larecherche et l’innovation dans le domaine minier, qui devraêtre présentée à la prochaine Conférence des ministres desMines en septembre 2008.

Le CCIM est un organisme sans but lucratif administré parun conseil d’administration et un secrétariat, lequel estsoutenu par Ressources naturelles Canada et l’Institut cana-dien des mines, de la métallurgie et du pétrole (ICM). La pre-mière assemblée générale annuelle du Conseil sera tenue en

mai 2008 dans le cadre du Congrès et Salon commercial del’ICM à Edmonton en Alberta.

Les objectifs fondamentaux du Conseil sont :• Améliorer les efforts en recherche minière, innovation et

commercialisation afin de renforcer la position du Canadaen tant que chef de file mondial en exploration minérale,en exploitation minière et dans les technologies et les serv-ices fondés sur des compétences spécialisées.

• Augmenter le nombre de diplômés hautement qualifiés desfacultés de mines et de sciences de la Terre afin de satisfaireaux demandes actuelles et futures de l’industrie, des gou-vernements et du secteur universitaire.

En 2008, sous la gestion d’un conseil d’administra-tion par intérim, le Conseil élaborera une stratégiepancanadienne sur la recherche et l’innovation dans ledomaine minier grâce à une série d’ateliers régionaux.La stratégie comprendra la question des défis princi-paux du Canada en ce qui concerne la R et D minière,l’innovation, la commercialisation et la disponibilité depersonnes hautement qualifiées.

Le succès du secteur minier canadien est fonction denotre capacité d’innover. Une vision et une stratégie à longterme sont requises pour adresser les questions de la rechercheet de l’innovation minières si nous voulons conserver notrerôle de leader mondial. Un nouveau plan d’action est requisafin de générer les résultats nécessaires, soutenu par les possi-bilités d’une meilleure coordination et d’une meilleure colla-boration entre les usagers de la recherche, les bailleurs defonds et les exécutants que le CCIM pourra fournir. Le CCIMrehaussera la compétitivité d’une industrie minière canadienneresponsable en restaurant l’excellence en recherche minière àtravers le Canada.

Pour ceux et celles qui veulent façonner activementl’avenir de la recherche minière et de l’innovation au Canada,c’est l’occasion idéale de s’impliquer. De plus amples informa-tions sur le Conseil peuvent être obtenues du Secrétariat,après de Michel Plouffe à : [email protected] CIM

Stephen Lucassous-ministre adjoint,Secteur des minéraux et des métaux,Ressources naturelles Canada

Ferri Hassanititulaire de la chaire Webster,Département de génie desmines, métaux et matériaux,Université McGill

Gordon Peelingprésident et chef de la direction,Association minière du Canada

Jon Bairddirecteur général,Association canadienne des exportateurs d’équipementset services miniers (CAMESE)

Jean Vavrekdirecteur exécutif, ICM

contributors

Le succès du secteur minier canadien est fonction de notre capacité

d’innover

En novembre dernier, IAMGOLD etCOREM ont conjointement reçu leprix 2007 de l’Association de larecherche industrielle du Québec dansla catégorie Innovation/procédé.

Cette innovation est une variationdu procédé traditionnel de cyanura-tion. Selon M. Donald Leroux,directeur de la technologie, COREM,le nouveau procédé traite les grosses etles petites particules séparément.Depuis l’implantation de la méthode,la consommation de cyanure a étéréduite d’environ 30 % et cela n’a euaucun effet sur la récupération de l’or.

COREM appartient à 10 compag-nies (dont IAMGOLD) et l’idée dunouveau procédé a émergée lors d’uneréunion des membres il y a environ trois ans. Environ 500000 $ ont été investis pour développer et implanter le projet.La technologie (développée et brevetée par COREM) a étéimplantée à l’usine Géant Dormant de IAMGOLD. « Leprocédé a été mis à l’épreuve durant un mois avant sonimplantation permanente », dit M. Leroux, qui tient à nom-mer ceux et celles qui ont mené le projet à terme : GillesLandry et Martine Deshaies, de IAMGOLD ainsi que Claude

Gagnon, Michel Turbide, Ahmed Bouajila et MohamedOurriban, de COREM.

Il y a cependant place à amélioration. Le procédé de cyanu-ration par classe granulométrique subit encore d’autres essaiset il est la propriété exclusive des membres de COREM pourcinq ans. La technologie brevetée sera disponible lorsque lesessais et l’implantation auront fait leurs preuves à l’usineGéant Dormant. CIM

Il arrive parfois qu’un outil idéal change véritablement unetâche. Reinhard Weins, propriétaire de R.W. Consulting andTraining Services Limited, de Sparwood, en Colombie-Britannique, a pu grandement améliorer son programme deformation depuis l’acquisition d’un simulateur personnel decamion hors route de Simlog.

La compagnie forme des individus pour travailler dans lesmines à ciel ouvert. Depuis l’acquisition du logiciel Simlog, M.Weins a noté une augmentation de la performance desapprentis et une diminution, grandement appréciée, des dom-mages à la machinerie. Les apprentis sont beaucoup mieuxpréparés lorsqu’ils opèrent de vrais équipements sur de vraissites.

Le logiciel enseigne aux travailleurs l’utilisation sécuritairede la machinerie lourde, comme sur un jeu vidéo, avec con-trôles et manette. Une vue du site minier est affichée surl’écran, telle que perçue de la fenêtre d’un camion. Le logicielenregistre chaque mouvement et chaque erreur; il produitensuite un rapport détaillé. Le formateur se sert du rapportpour cibler les points à améliorer. Avant d’avoir incorporé la

technologie, les formateurs conduisaient de vrais camionsavec les apprentis jusqu’à ce qu’ils soient jugés prêts.

Bien qu’elle ne soit pas nouvelle, cette technologie estmaintenant plus abordable et facile à obtenir; le logiciel fonc-tionne sur un ordinateur personnel ou sur un portable. Unlogiciel d’immersion peut coûter plus de 500 000 $ alors quele simulateur Simlog coûte environ 10 000 $ — une différencede prix importante pour obtenir, en fait, le même résultat.

M. Weins dit qu’en plus des économies à l’achat, il y a deséconomies à long terme. « J’aime mieux voir un accident surun simulateur où l’erreur peut être corrigée que sur un camionqui coûte des milliers de dollars à réparer. » Il signale toutefoisque les formateurs ne peuvent être remplacés. « Une machinene peut pas remplacer un être humain capable de prendre desdécisions parfois cruciales. » Le simulateur demeure un outil.

R.W. Consulting veut intégrer cette technologie dans leprocessus d’embauche, évaluant le niveau de compétenced’employés potentiels. « Avec des réductions de coûts, moinsde dommages à la propriété et une meilleure formation, il estdifficile de faire mieux », dit M. Weins. CIM


innovation

Optimiser la formation par l’utilisation d’outils innovateurs

Prix pour réduction de la consommation de cyanure

De gauche à droite, Claude Demers, ADRIQ, Claude Gagnon, COREM (chercheur scientifique), Gilles Landry,IAMGOLD (usine Géant Dormant), Yves Harvey, COREM (directeur exécutif), Pierre Pelletier, IAMGOLD, Jean Belize,École de Technologie Supérieure, Alain Coulombe, SilVision. Photo gracieusement fournie par l’ADRIQ.

February 2008 | 45

innovation

Selon Francis Bacon, « Savoir, c’est pouvoir ».Dans les entreprises, les données doivent êtredisponibles à tous les niveaux. Toutefois, lesexploitations minières étaient souvent loin de cetidéal puisqu’il était impossible d’implanter dessystèmes de communication à grande largeur debande passante en raison des extrêmes de tem-pérature, des dangers physiques et de la présencede produits chimiques caustiques. Des percéesdans la conception et la fabrication de câbles àfibres optiques ont permis l’installation de liensde transmission de 10 Gb même dans ces envi-ronnements.

À la recherche de solutionsL’expérience de CONSOL Energy Inc. – le plus

grand producteur de charbon aux États-Unis – amontré comment des câbles blindés peuvent aiderà intégrer les communications dans les environ-nements de travail présentant les plus grandsdéfis. Les ingénieurs de CONSOL ont voulu éten-dre les communications à haute vitesse à dessecteurs autres que l’administration.

« Nous utilisons des systèmes miniers coûteuxet hautement mécanisés dans des conditions diffi-ciles, la maintenance est donc chose courante »,explique Tom Prokop, directeur des services desoutien sur place pour CONSOL. « La profondeurde nos puits varie de 300 à 2000 pieds et lesgaleries peuvent atteindre des longueurs de 20milles. Cela peut prendre jusqu’à deux heurespour se rendre de l’entrepôt au secteur actif. »

« Peu de câbles à fibres optiques rencontraientnos exigences, mais nous avons opté pour un fab-riqué par Optical Cable Corporation », dit M.Prokop. « Des éboulements du toit ont déjà enfouile câble, mais nous n’avons jamais perdu la trans-mission des données. »

Le câble à fibres optiques blindé et renforcédoit sa fiabilité et son rendement à sa conceptionde base; il a en effet deux revêtements sur chaquefibre optique, contrairement au câble classique àfibres libres qui n’en a qu’un. D’autres caractéris-tiques des câbles d’OCC lient les éléments ensemble etrehaussent sa résistance à l’écrasement.

À grande vitesse sous terreAvec la mise en place du câble à fibres optiques, l’équipe

de maintenance a maintenant accès à tous les dossiers néces-saires sans sortir du tunnel.

Lorsque la connectivité est cruciale, ces câbles robustespermettent à des industries travaillant dans des conditionsdifficiles de tirer profit de la haute vitesse auparavantréservée pour les campus et les centres de données admin-istratifs. L’environnement peut être rigoureux mais l’avenirdes communications à haute vitesse est de plus en plusassuré. CIM

Être en communicationÉtablir des communications à haute vitesse dans des conditions difficiles

La Corporation Optical Cable est une pionnière dans la conception et la production de câblesoptiques à gainage serré pour des utilisations en terrain difficile.

Des percées dans la conception et la fabrication de câbles à fibres optiques renforcés très résistantsont permis d’installer des liens de communication de 10 Gigabits dans les endroits les plus inusités.

L’introduction de nouvelles technologies dans les opéra-tions minières amène souvent une augmentation de l’efficac-ité et des gains de productivité qui se traduisent par des prof-its plus élevés; les ordinateurs et les réseaux en sont de bonsexemples. Les nouvelles technologies ne sont toutefois pasune garantie de résultats positifs; les attentes et les améliora-tions prévues devraient être déterminées bien avant l’implan-tation.

Les systèmes sans fil de surveillance de la pression des pneus(Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems – TPMS) sont d’excellentsexemples d’une technologie existante qui peut aider à fairedes économies en diminuant les coûts de maintenance.

Les pneus hors route sont souvent retirés avant la fin deleur vie prévue en raison d’une utilisation à plus de 100 % decombinaisons de paramètres tels que la charge nominale, lavitesse ou la capacité de charge en fonction de la distance.Toute amélioration de ces paramètres opérationnels aura uneffet positif sur la durée de vie des pneus.

Un TPMS sans fil peut fournir des mesures en temps réelde pneus travaillant dans des conditions difficiles. Des aver-tissements ou des alarmes signalent les problèmes avant quene surviennent des dommages irréparables.

La pression monteLa norme actuelle utilisée par les manufacturiers et les

experts est le TKPH ou le TMPH (tonne kilomètre/mille parheure) – une mesure théorique du travail effectué par unpneu. On estime qu’une surcharge de 10 % réduira la vie despneus de 20 % et qu’un pneu sous gonflé ou utilisé à unTKPH ou TMPH au-dessus de sa valeur nominale subira uneréduction de vie semblable.

Lors du congrès Mine Expo 2000, M. Larry Hurst,directeur des programmes de pneus hors route pourGoodyear, a dit : « La formule traditionnelle TKPH/TMPHutilise des moyennes établies qui ne tiennent pas compte despentes; le poids est alors déplacé d’une extrémité du camion àl’autre, augmentant ainsi la température des pneus et modifi-ant d’autres paramètres. La clé pour maximiser la durée viedes pneus est de savoir quand les pneus entrent dans la zonede température dangereuse et de les sortir de cette zone enassignant le camion à une autre route, en effectuant de lamaintenance ou une autre activité. »

Bénéfices de la technologie TPMSMême en opérant à des températures et à des pressions

adéquates, il faut que les routes de halage et les points dechargement soient bien entretenus.

Tous les pneus perdent de l’air avec le temps; les con-séquences sont d’autant plus sérieuses pour des pneus

jumelés. Si l’un des pneus perd de l’air, alors l’autre entre encondition de surcapacité, causant possiblement des dom-mages irréversibles. D’où l’avantage des TPMS.

La température monteLa surveillance de la température interne d’un pneu est la

meilleure façon de voir s’il opère dans la plage normale deparamètres. Les points suivants énumèrent les facteurs cau-sant des augmentations de température:• Distance parcourue par cycle de halage• Vitesse• Conditions routières et pentes• Surcharge• Distribution de la charge• Type de pneu et composantes• Température externe

Description du système TPMS sans filLes systèmes de surveillance des pneus sur les

équipements miniers comportent des capteurs montés dansles pneus, un processeur dans le camion et une connexionsans fil, permettant d’obtenir les données en temps réel. Deplus, il est possible de programmer des températures et despressions limites ainsi que des alarmes lorsque les donnéessont en dehors de ces limites.

Le choix d’un TPMSComme pour tout système technologique, il faut identifier

les exigences et les coûts de la maintenance et du soutien ainsique les coûts d’implantation et en tenir compte dans touteanalyse coûts-avantages. En plus de l’augmentation de ladurée de vie des pneus, de la disponibilité des équipements etdes économies de carburant, les avantages comprennent aussil’accroissement de la sécurité. CIM


innovation

Une once de préventionImplantation d’un système de surveillance de la pression des pneus pour les sites miniers

Ce qui suit est un bref sommaire soulignant les projetsinnovateurs de recherche en cours aux Les Laboratoires desmines et des sciences minérals (LMSM-CANMET), dansleurs efforts pour améliorer la santé, la sécurité et la produc-tivité dans le secteur minier.

L’influence de divers types de fibres sur la réponse statique et dynamique du béton projeté

À mesure que les mines deviennent de plus en plus pro-fondes et que les contraintes en place augmentent, il estabsolument nécessaire de comprendre la réponse des sys-tèmes de contrôle de terrain et de les améliorer.Actuellement, dans l’industrie minière, le béton projeté estsurtout utilisé dans des ouvertures permanentes – lesrecettes, les abris et les aires de véhicules – bien que la ten-dance soit vers une utilisation plus étendue dans tout le cycleminier. Dans certains cas, il est devenu le soutien de choix.

L’incorporation de fibres dans le mélange de béton projetéminimise les processus d’installation d’un grillage exigeantbeaucoup de main-d’œuvre, réduisant ainsi le temps ducycle. Ces fibres confèrent au béton projeté de la résilienceet une résistance à la propagation des fissures, ce qui étaittraditionnellement le rôle du grillage. L’utilisation de bétonprojeté armé de fibres rehausse aussi la sécurité car il permetaux travailleurs d’appliquer le soutien tout en se tenant loind’un endroit non soutenu.

Il existe cependant de nombreux différents types etgéométries de fibres disponibles, chaque type ayant son pro-pre comportement. Les LMSM-CANMET planifient de pré-parer, de tester et d’évaluer les propriétés du béton projeté ence qui concerne spécifiquement ces fibres, incluant les dif-férents types, matériaux, géométries et proportions. Le but estde fournir des données scientifiques adéquates aux ingénieursminiers afin qu’ils puissent déterminer les fibres appropriées

requises pour un soutien sécuritaire à leur propre site. Ce pro-jet fournira une occasion de rehausser l’efficacité des systèmesde contrôle de terrain et fournir aux LMSM-CANMET uneplate-forme pour développer de futures recherches sur ladétermination et la quantification de la réponse du béton pro-jeté armé de fibres par rapport aux forces dynamiques tellesque celles causées par des coups de toit.

Rendement dynamique des éléments de contrôle du terrain

Les capacités dynamiques de contrôle de terrain sont l’unedes considérations clés lors du choix d’éléments coulissantspour des environnements à contraintes élevées, propices auxcoups de toit ou à des grandes déformations. Depuis 2003, leProgramme de contrôle de terrain des LMSM-CANMETévalue le rendement dynamique de divers éléments de con-trôle de terrain afin de remplir son mandat concernant lasécurité des travailleurs sous terre. En plus des essais en con-tinu sur des armatures, les LMSM-CANMET ont lancé unnouveau projet pour recueillir toute l’information disponibleconcernant les paramètres dynamiques de contrôle de ter-rain. L’objectif est de fournir à l’industrie minière des donnéesconcises et à jour sur les armatures de soutien dynamique.Cette information permettra de simplifier le choix et la con-ception du soutien en plus d’identifier les manques d’infor-mation. Dirigés par les LMSM-CANMET, ces protocoles d’es-sais auto-développés sont en voie d’évaluation par l’ASTM.L’acceptation de la procédure standard d’essais devait êtreofficielle au début de 2008.

Surveillance en ligne de l’extraction des sables bitumineux

L’extraction de pétrole des réservoirs profonds de sablesbitumineux est basée sur des procédés thermiques tels que leprocessus cyclique de stimulation à la vapeur, développé parImperial Oil Resources Ltd. (IORL). Les LMSM-CANMET, encollaboration avec IORL, ont développé une technologie desurveillance microsismique qui permet la détection en temps

February 2008 | 47

innovation

Ô Canada!Survol des projets innovateurs de recherche aux Laboratoires des mines et des sciences minérales (LMSM) de CANMET

Effets du chargement dynamique sur (a) un contrôle de terrain standard et (b) un contrôlede terrain dynamique résistant aux coups de toit dans une mine de métaux de base.

Mise à l’épreuve de divers types de bétons projetés pour analyser les réponses sta-tiques et dynamiques.

réel de bris dans lestubages de puits depétrole causés parles contraintes ther-miques du proces-sus cyclique destimulation à lavapeur. Cette détec-tion précoce sauvedes temps d’arrêt dupuits, évite diversproblèmes de pro-ductivité et permetde réparer les défail-lances avant qu’elles

ne deviennent plus onéreuses à réparer.Le transfert de cette technologie microsismique dévelop-

pée par CANMET au secteur privé a conduit à un investisse-ment significatif de plus de 20 millions de dollars par l’in-dustrie pétrolière uniquement en équipements de surveil-lance. La surveillance microsismique est maintenant unetechnique bien établie, aidant les compagnies de pétrolelourd de l’Ouest canadien à extraire le pétrole de manièreplus sécuritaire et plus économique.

Développement d’une chargeuse-navette hybride (diesel et électrique)

Les véhicules produisant peu d’émissions deviennent deplus en plus populaires en raison des préoccupationsaccrues concernant la santé des mineurs et l’impact environ-nemental à long terme des émissions diesel. Les LMSM-CANMET, en collaboration avec Mining TechnologiesInternational (MTI), travaillent à développer la chargeuse-navette hybride LT-270 – la première du genre au monde. Cevéhicule hybride diesel-électrique combine un moteur àcombustion interne d’un véhicule conventionnel avec desmoteurs électriques à pile. Une étude effectuée par lesLMSM-CANMET a démontré des réductions importantesdes émissions – de 25 à 40 % – accompagnées de réductionssemblables de consommation de carburant et d’un impactpositif sur les besoins de ventilation.

Après avoir effectué une période extensive d’essais duprototype dans quatre mines souterraines, l’objectif est de

développer une grande gamme d’équipements utilisant cettesource d’énergie.

Fragmentation de la roche sans explosifsL’objectif de la fragmentation sans explosifs est de mettre

au point des technologies d’abattage sans explosifsdisponibles pour le développement sous terre à des taux d’a-vancement significativement supérieurs et à des coûts compa-rables aux techniques conventionnelles de forage et sautage.

Bien qu’il y ait eu des réussites dans des applications spé-cifiques de cette technologie, elles n’ont pas conduit à uneutilisation répandue. Des percées technologiques ont générébeaucoup d’intérêt de la part des compagnies minières quiont déjà financé plusieurs projets à grande échelle d’abattagesans explosifs. L’industrie possède actuellement plusieursmoteurs stratégiques – tels que le virage opérationnel d’unemine à ciel ouvert à une mine souterraine, un accès plusrapide aux gisements et une réduction des coûts dedéveloppement – qui font de l’abattage sans explosifs, uneoption que considèrent sept compagnies minières dontAgnico-Eagle, AREVA, la Société aurifère Barrick, CAMECO,Vale Inco, IAMGOLD et Rio Tinto. Ces compagnies - avecHydro-Québec, la Société de Recherche et DéveloppementMinier (SOREDEM) et les LMSM-CANMET – sont parte-naires dans une initiative coopérative qui comparera lesmesures clés du rendement des technologies d’abattage sansexplosifs aux techniques conventionnelles de forage etsautage en tant que mesures continuelles d’établissement deréférences. Chaque secteur sélectionné de la recherche seraévalué par rapport à des critères rigoureux de succès afind’éviter des embûches et des résultats insatisfaisants tels quela production d’une technologie incomplète ou d’une appli-cation opérationnelle limitée. Ces mesures de rendementincluront les coûts, la consommation énergétique et les tauxd’avancement ainsi que les conséquences sur la santé et lasécurité, l’environnement et le contrôle de terrain.

Poignée anti-vibration pour les foreuses pneumatiquesLes foreuses pneumatiques montées sur béquille sont

couramment utilisées dans les mines souterraines. Toutefois,les opérateurs de ces outils sont exposés à de beaucoup de


innovation

Vue tridimensionnelle d’une base typique montrant lesformations géologiques et les puits de pétrole inclinésatteignant la Formation pétrolifère de Clearwater.

Prototype de chargeuse-navette hybride (diesel et électrique).

Essai en laboratoire d’une torche au plasma pour la fragmentation thermique de la roche.

vibrations au niveau des mains et des bras et, après plusieursannées, ils souffrent de divers troubles de santé, notammentla maladie de Raynaud ou le syndrome du canal carpien.

À ce jour, aucun dispositif de sécurité n’était disponiblepour protéger les opérateurs de foreuses pneumatiques con-tre les vibrations dans les bras/les mains. Pour régler ceproblème, les LMSM-CANMET et l’Université deSherbrooke, en collaboration avec le manufacturier PartsHeadQuarters Inc., ont développé une poignée anti-vibra-tion pour les foreuses sur béquille qui réduit la vibrationtransmise aux mineurs de 60 %.

Équipements diesel dans les mines – approches innovatrices et autres technologies

Malgré les inquiétudes concernant les émissions tox-iques, des équipements mobiles puissants carburant audiesel travaillent toujours dans les mines souterraines. Parcontre, les moteurs au diesel seront probablement examinésde très près à l’avenir, en raison de plusieurs facteurs, dontles questions de l’utilisation efficace de moteurs diesel dansles mines très profondes, la disponibilité de moteurs propreset antidéflagrants pour le secteur résurgent des mines decharbon, des préoccupations accrues pour la santé (incluantl’impact des nanoparticules provenant de l’échappement desdiesels) et le besoin de s’adapter aux normes des émissionsde gaz à effet de serre plus exigeantes.

Afin de faire face à ces défis, des approches innovatriceset d’autres technologies sont étudiées, incluant :• le développement de carburants à faible cycle de carbone

(biodiesels);• l’étude de l’impact de la grande profondeur sur le fonc-

tionnement et les émissions des moteurs diesel;• l’évaluation de l’impact des modules de filtration à haute

efficacité des échappements sur les moteurs approuvésdans les mines de charbon;

• l’analyse granulométrique des émissions particulairesultra-fines de l’échappement des diesels;

• la recherche et le développement de carburants autres quele diesel (hybrides diesel-électrique et piles à combustible).

Tous les éléments mentionnés plus haut font partie duplan quinquennal de recherche sur le diesel des LMSM-CANMET. Les résultats aideront à protéger les travailleursminiers et auront un impact sur les règlements concernantles lieux de travail.

Les enjeux du stress dû à la chaleur dans les mines canadiennes souterraines

La récente flambée des prix des métaux pousse l’exploita-tion minière à des profondeurs record; avec des conditionsd’humidité élevée, cela peut créer un environnement de tra-vail dans lequel la température peut dépasser 35 ºC.Plusieurs facteurs en sont la cause : l’auto-compression de laventilation d’air, l’élévation de la température du massifrocheux en raison du gradient géothermique et la générationde chaleur par les gros équipements de production.

Le Consortium de recherche sur l’exploitation minière àgrande profondeur (Deep Mining Research Consortium –DMRC) finance actuellement un projet sur le stress dû à lachaleur portant sur :• l’effort demandé pour effectuer les tâches traditionnelles

dans les mines;• les bienfaits de périodes travail-repos;• l’impact des vêtements et des équipements de sécurité

conventionnels;• l’utilité de l’indice de température au thermomètre-globe

mouillé;• l’impact d’un style de vie sédentaire, de l’obésité et du dia-

bète de type 2 sur les travailleurs vieillissants.L’objectif est de protéger les travailleurs miniers du stress

dû à la chaleur en utilisant des techniques et des technolo-gies de pointe de manière rentable.

Critères novateurs de conception de la ventilationminière basés sur les besoins en circulation d’air pourtout le cycle de vie de la mine

Il est bien connu que la ventilation minière est l’un desplus grands consommateurs d’énergie de tout le processusd’extraction de minéraux. Bien que des efforts aient étéengagés pour automatiser les éléments de la ventilationminière, il manquait la capacité de développer et d’implanterun système économique qui tenait compte des demandes enventilation de toute la mine pour tout son cycle de vie.

Des outils de simulation des processus tels que le logicielAutoModTM offrent une méthode alternative de définir lesbesoins en ventilation dans les secteurs en production de lamine. Avec ce logiciel de modélisation de la ventilationminière, les besoins de ventilation primaire et secondairepeuvent être définis en tout point de l’espace et du temps,puis gérés pour une rentabilité optimale. Ces besoins en cir-culation d’air pour tout le cycle de vie de la mine (par rap-port à la demande de ventilation de pointe) formeraientensuite la base pour la conception de la ventilation, min-imisant ainsi la consommation énergétique et donc les coûtsen capitaux et d’exploitation. CIM

February 2008 | 49

innovation

Poignée anti-vibration pour les foreuses pneumatiques à la mine expérimentale.

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eye on business


The word “bankable” is often used inmining project financings. For example,definitive feasibility studies and materialproject contracts are sometimes referredto as bankable. Structures that allowprojects to be funded by bank debt arealso called bankable. Yet use of the wordis neither defined nor constant. A work-ing description of the term might be: “ina form, and having content that bankswould agree is suitable and conforms tomarket practice.” Bankability is obvi-ously a fluid, subjective concept.

Banks are last to commit their fundsto a project but often cover as much as70 to 80 per cent of the overall project

costs. As a result, theytake a quasi-equity

view of their investment. First-timeborrowers protest that the heavy docu-

Making mining projects bankable

mentation and intrusive consentrequirements and reporting covenantsamount to micro-management, but for

banks this degreeof protection isnon-negotiable.For sponsorscontempla t ingproject finance,much time,expense and mis-ery can be savedby anticipatingbanks’ needs andstructuring theirproject to meetthose require-ments.

One key fea-ture of bankabilityis that thefinanced assetshould be ownedby a single-pur-pose entity solelydedicated to thedevelopment ofthe subject asset.If a financing runsinto difficulties,creditors want toexercise remedies,or more likely,restructure the

original financing, without being forcedto negotiate with equally ranked credi-tors. A project sponsor should ensurethat the relevant borrowing entity ownsonly that asset. Otherwise, the sponsorwill need lenders’ consent to releasenon-core assets from their security struc-ture. Lenders are reluctant to grant sucha release prior to completion or wherethe project is not performing well. If pos-sible, a sponsor with multiple potentialprojects, especially those at differentstages of their economic lives or in dif-ferent jurisdictions, should keep them inseparate vehicles, each owned by dis-tinct intermediate holding companies.

Lenders require an effective lien overevery asset that a borrower owns or mayown in the future. This includes rightsover real property, deposits, mine output,contracts and intangibles. This may notalways be practical, efficient or effective,especially in civil law jurisdictions thatdo not have the common law concept ofa floating lien or debenture (whichextends a security interest over all of aborrower’s assets regardless of type, loca-tion or time of creation or acquisition).

There are several areas where thelenders’ need for a full security packagemay not be realized. First, the civilcodes of certain jurisdictions, whichwere drafted before mining projectfinance was invented, do not necessar-ily provide for an effective securityinterest over every type of asset.Fortunately, many jurisdictions arerevising their legal systems to facilitatethe security-taking process.

Second, certain countries’ foreigninvestment legislation may preventstrategic assets — mineral deposits orland overlying those deposits — frombeing mortgaged in favour of foreignlenders, or owned by them followingforeclosure. Project funders attempt toallay this problem by having anonshore entity hold the “restricted”assets in trust for offshore creditors.

Third, and sometimes the most timeconsuming, is the issue of contractual

by Thomas Wexler

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extent of and reasons for banks’ require-ments and anticipating those require-ments as far in advance as possible.

About the Author Thomas Wexler worksfor Fasken Martineau Stringer Saul LLP

CIM

rights and permits. In most cases, a bor-rower may assign, by way of security, itsrights in contracts, permits and otherthird-party claims. Note that this affectsonly the assignment of the borrower’scontractual rights. It does nothing toensure performance by the counterpartyto that contract. Without a direct contrac-tual link with the counterparty, lenderscan face difficult situations. For example,a borrower might default prior to comple-tion with the construction contractor stillon site and refusing to continue workwithout all payments being made current.Or, a buyer could default for operationalreasons and the lenders may wish to sellthe mine or the mining company, yet findthat the authority responsible for the min-ing concession refuses to allow a newowner to operate the asset.

To avoid these scenarios, lendersinsist on direct contractual relationshipswith counterparties to key contracts andpermits. Generally known as directagreements, collateral warranties or con-sents, these documents should, at mini-mum, provide for the counterparty torecognize the lenders’ right to cure theproject company’s default and for thecounterparty to continue performing itsobligations with a successor to the bor-rower. While direct agreements are nego-tiated between the counterparty and thefinanciers, the completion of these docu-ments to the lenders’ satisfaction is a con-dition precedent for drawdown.

Contractors operating on internationalprojects are used to negotiating directagreements with lenders; less sophisti-cated counterparties often balk at thisrequirement. Lenders also need to take arealistic view as to what can be obtained,and over what time frame. For example, itis not reasonable for lenders to insist ondirect agreements with all contractualcounterparties, especially for non-mate-rial contracts or where the counterparty’sservices are offered to any paying cus-tomer. In certain countries, concessionsor licences granted to a mining companyare considered a unique privilege for theoriginal borrower and are not transferableeven to a credit-worthy successor nomi-nated by the lenders in a restructuring. Atbest, lenders may have to settle for com-

fort from the relevant authority agreeingto consider granting the mining rights toan acceptable successor.

This article describes only some ofthe features of a bankable transaction.Potential borrowers will ultimately savetime and expense by understanding the

February 2008 | 53

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How long will the boom last?

MAC economic commentary


Merger and acquisition activity hasalso exploded in recent years. InCanada, Xstrata bought Falconbridgefor $20 billion, CVRD bought Inco fora similar amount, and Rio Tinto boughtAlcan for $38 billion. A possible globalalignment between Rio Tinto and BHPBilliton would be valued at well over$100 billion. Worldwide, in 2006 therewere 1,145 merger and acquisitiondeals in mining, valued at some $176billion, as companies in all parts of theworld strive to secure mineral reservesand to obtain the skills and technicalability to find and develop new supply.

Buoyant mineral prices have alsomeant higher executive compensation,higher worker salaries, ambitious capi-tal investment commitments, and gen-erous flows of tax and royalty paymentsto governments. The budget surplussituation in Ottawa and the recentlyannounced federal tax cut commit-ments are affordable in no small partbecause of healthy revenue flows fromnatural resources companies.

How long can this boom last? Giventhe traditionally cyclical nature of themining industry, and the fact that theboom is already some six years old, it isnatural that many observers are raisingquestions as to how much longer thepresent level of prosperity can continue.

Certainly there are conditions underwhich one could envision a marginal oreven major decline in mineral prices. Arecession in the United States could bepossible, given the macro-economicmismanagement of the Bush adminis-tration, if the American consumer wereto pay heed to their debt-loads andbecome less bullish. American eco-nomic performance will also dependon how the asset-backed commercialpaper crisis unfolds. As well, a numberof national governments, particularlyin Central and South America, areseeking to raise their take from themining industry and are, in effect,

The Canadian and internationalmining industries are enjoying buoyanttimes. As shown in the adjacent table,while the specific figures vary by min-eral, overall prices have grown byroughly two-fold to five-fold over thepast five years.

In some instances, prices have con-tinued to increase through 2007. Gold,for example, has increased in value byanother 35 per cent since 2006 — toaround $850 per ounce. Copper is

expected to climbanother 50 per cent to

450 cents per pound in 2008 accordingto Bloomsburg projections. Nickel andzinc prices generally levelled off ordeclined in the latter part of 2007.

At these high price levels, explo-ration spending, both globally and inCanada, has increased significantly ascompanies seek to find new mineralreserves. Global exploration spendinghas grown exponentially from $2.4 bil-lion in 2003 to $10.5 billion in 2007.

expropriating wealth by revising exist-ing business agreements. On the tradeside, countries such as China andRussia are enacting measures aimed atkeeping their raw materials out of theglobal trading system so as to meettheir own consumption needs. Anescalation of these trade and invest-ment barriers could serve to under-mine business confidence and con-tribute to an economic downturn.

On balance, however, there are twoconsiderations that would seem tooverwhelm these potential obstacles;namely, the basic economic concepts ofglobal demand and global supply.

On the demand side, as a consumerof 25 per cent of the world’s base met-als, China remains the critical variable.There is no evidence that economicgrowth in China is slowing — indeedgrowth in 2007 again appeared to be inthe range over 10 to 11 per cent.Despite its staggering expansion of thepast 15 years, the country also remainsrelatively low in its measure of metalsintensity in comparison to westerncountries. For example, the UnitedStates features 765 motor vehicles per1,000 people, while China features 10!While it is unlikely that this 76-foldgap would ever be closed entirely, itwill narrow significantly over the com-ing decades. Similar gaps exist in mostother economic measures; for example,there are 20 times more personal com-puters per capita in Canada than in

by Paul Stothart

About the Author Paul Stothart is vicepresident, economic affairs, for the MiningAssociation of Canada

Mineral Prices 2001 2006

Aluminum (¢/lb) 66 130Copper (¢/lb) 74 301Gold ($/oz) 270 630Nickel ($/lb) 3 16Zinc (¢/lb) 41 200

China. A comparable growth potentialstory can be told for Russia, Brazil andIndia among other low metal-intensity,high-population countries.

A comparable story can be told, inan even morec o m p e l l i n gmanner, onthe supplyside. An eco-nomic analy-sis from AngloAmerican plcillustrates themagnitude ofthe mineral supply challenge that facesthe globe. If demand for copper growsat four per cent per year for the nextdecade, global demand will exceed pro-jected output from current mines andapproved projects by 39 per cent. Thisis equivalent to eight new mines thesize of Escondida, the world’s largestcopper mine in Chile.

A similar situation is seen in nickeland zinc — average growth for the nextdecade will mean a 36 to 43 per centshortfall in 2017, necessitating 14 newworld-scale nickel mines and 40 new

large zinc mines. While the high explo-ration spending levels of recent yearsmay well generate new supply of thismagnitude, the recent mine-develop-ment experience does not lend causefor optimism. Cost escalation, infra-structure bottlenecks, political uncer-tainty and resistance from environmen-tal and social groups (naturally armed

with iPods, cellphones and other met-als-intensive tools!) have combined toseriously challenge the ability of com-panies to turn mineral discoveries intoviable mines.

The result of these combineddemand and supply pressures meanscontinued above-historical-trendprices, profits, exploration and taxes— for many years to come. Beyondthis reality though, it is importantthat businesses and governments notbecome complacent — some com-modities will still experience mis-matches between supply and demandthat will have short-term (positiveand negative) effects on price. Thetroughs in prices should not be aslow as past business cycles and thehighs should be above historicaltrends. For producers, the key to per-formance will still depend, as always,on how well capital and operatingcosts are managed. CIM

MAC economic commentary

February 2008 | 55

Global exploration spending has grown exponentially

from $2.4 billion in 2003

to $10.5 billion in 2007.

standards

The topic of common deficiencies intechnical reports raised in a previousarticle (CIM Magazine, March/April2007) warrants further discussion. Topotentially avoid NI 43-101 complianceissues with technical reports, there areseveral key principles that should bekept in mind by qualified persons whenpreparing technical reports. Theseshould also be considered by resourcecompanies when retaining a qualifiedperson, because disclosure is ultimatelythe responsibility of the resource com-pany.

Compliance with NI 43-101 and Form 43-101F1

A technical report is defined as areport prepared and filed in accordance

with NI 43-101 and Form43-101F1 that

does not omit any material scientificand technical information in respect ofthe subject property as of the date of fil-ing. We continue to find several com-mon oversights in technical reports,which include adding inferred mineralresources to other categories and a lackof proximal cautionary language forsuch disclosure as exploration targets,historical estimates and preliminary

Technical reports: key principles to help avoid common deficiencies

assessments. It isimportant to rememberthat technical reportsare disclosure docu-ments and must complywith NI 43-101 securi-ties law.

Section 4.3 of NI 43-101 requires that thetechnical report be pre-pared according toForm 43-101F1, whichprovides the specificprescribed format,headings and content,although subheadingsmay be used.

Occasionally, technical reports omit abudget to support the recommendations.Technical reports on development andproduction properties sometimes neg-lect to include Item 25, which coverssuch topics as mining operations, capitaland operating costs and an economicanalysis, including cash flow forecasts.

Technical reports must be based onall relevant information on the propertyas of the date of the report — adden-dums are not permitted. We find thatsome so-called technical reports are sim-ply updated mineral resource or reserveestimates that do not include the other

sections required by Form 43-101F1,such as data verification, or a descriptionof mining method or economic analysisif this information was included in a pre-viously filed technical report.

Another key principle to remember isthat the obligation to file a technicalreport is tied to the information describ-ing mineral projects on material proper-ties — the technical report must be pre-pared on a property basis not a projectbasis. If a company discovers a satellitedeposit on a property that has an existingtechnical report on the main deposit, theearlier report must be updated to includeboth deposits to reflect the potentialshared infrastructure and synergies.

Responsibilities of the qualified person and the resource company

A common area of misunderstandinginvolves the responsibility of the quali-fied person versus the responsibility ofthe resource company. It is the com-pany’s responsibility to retain an individ-ual who meets the definition of qualifiedperson including belonging to a recog-nized professional association and hav-ing the relevant experience and compe-tence for the subject matter. Under cer-tain circumstances, as defined in Section5.3 of NI 43-101, the qualified person


by Deborah McCombe and Craig Waldie

Summary of common technical report deficiencies

Common technical report deficiencies Section of NI 43-101Lack of proximate cautionary language 2.3(2), 2.3(3) and 4.2(2)Certificate and consent of qualified person not compliant 8.1 and 8.3Disclaim responsibility for technical information 6.4 and Item 5 of Form F1Lack of a budget for the recommended work program Item 22 of Form F1Not a complete technical report 1.1 and 4.3Non-independent qualified person when independence required 1.4 and 5.3Lack of key assumptions, parameters and methods 3.4(c) and Item 19(f) of Form F1Adding inferred resources to other categories 2.2(c) and Item 19(c) of Form F1Lack of Item 25 for development and producing properties Item 25 of Form F1Report not addressed to the company 8.2No current site visit 6.2 and Item 4(d) of Form F1

Note: See NI 43-101CP (companion policy) for further explanation and interpretation of the pointsabove.

standards

must be independent of the companyand the property. The company is alsoresponsible for arranging its affairs sothat a current site visit can be carried outby a qualified person. The most com-mon misconception is that a site visit isnot required for early-stage explorationproperties. The site visit is still manda-tory, although it may be delayed undervery limited circumstances.

It is also important for companies tobe aware that the primary responsibilityfor public disclosure remains with thecompany and its directors and officers.

The company must ensure that their dis-closure is consistent with the informationprovided to them by the qualified person.

The qualified person is responsiblefor preparing the technical report, con-ducting a site visit and providing scien-tific and technical advice in accordancewith professional practice and industrystandards, as well as providing a signedcertificate and consent as per sections8.1 and 8.3 of NI 43-101.

Technical report addressed to the resource company

Section 8.2 of NI 43-101 requiresthat all technical reports must beaddressed to the company, whichmeans the company’s name mustappear on the title page, in the intro-duction and on the qualified person’scertificate and consent. If several com-panies have a joint venture on a prop-erty that is material to both, the techni-cal report can be addressed to bothcompanies. If a company triggers atechnical report, they cannot rely onanother company’s report on the sameproperty because each company musthave their own, complete public dis-closure record. The most commonerror companies make is to file a tech-nical report from a previous owner ona property they recently acquired. CIM

About the Authors Deborah McCombe is executive vice president, Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc.,and Craig Waldie is senior geologist, Ontario Securities Commission

February 2008 | 57

the primary responsibility

for public disclosure remains with the company and its directors and officers.

The workday began as most othersdid, with hundreds of minersheading into the lifts, to be takenalmost 2,000 feet under-ground, where the coal seamslay. Only two of the threeslopes were operational thatday, mandated by a shortageof empty rail cars. The workproceeded apace until noonand resumed following thehalf-hour dinner break. Afew moments later, an enor-mous explosion marked thebeginning of what was tobecome the first of themajor Springhill miningaccidents.

The coal mines inSpringhill, Nova Scotia, firstopened in 1873, were aninvestment by a group of St.John capitalists. In 1882, thethree collieries were purchased bythe Cumberland Coal and Railway Co.,which proceeded to extend the track tothe port of Parrsboro and develop themines themselves. Under the new own-ers, the mine’s output doubled to 2,000tonnes per day, rising as high as 2,300tonnes per day on some occasions. Bythe time of the accident, the collierieshad produced an estimated 3,500,000

tonnes of high-qualityboiler coal.

The mine’s commercial success meantextensive development underground aswell. The No. 1 slope, the deepest of thethree, extended to a depth of 1,900 feet,with plans to further extend it to 2,500feet. Around the time of the explosion,the mine employed between 1,300 and1,400 workers. The explosion, whichoccurred on the 1,900-foot level of theNo. 1 slope, swept along the level to aconsiderable distance, but also pene-

trated into the No. 2 slope, through theventilation shaft connecting the slopes atthe 1,300-foot level. Eyewitnesses laterdescribed the blast to a Springhill newseditor as being “preceded by a suddengust of wind, which swept like a tornadothrough the dark passages, hurling tim-bers and clouds of dust and flying mis-siles before it. This was followed in a fewseconds by balls of fire, large and small,and then came a solid body of fierceflame that filled the passages and literallyroasted everything in its path.”

Eleven miners were at the No. 1 pitbottom, a full half-mile away from theexplosion when it took place, and werethe nearest to the blast who survived.They were the first to enter the levelwhere the blast occurred, finding the air

thick with heated smoke and dust, andsmall fires of wood and clothing. They

were also fortunate to find a numberof other miners trapped orwounded. By the time these 11brought the wounded back tothe pit bottom, they were metby the first of the rescuers ontheir way from the surface.

In the first two hours fol-lowing the blast, 20 moreminers were found andbrought to the surface.Medical help was summonedfrom the nearby towns toassist the two colliery doctors,and volunteers seeking to gounderground and help arrived

in such numbers that some hadto be turned away. By this time,

most of the town’s residents wereat the accident site, looking for word

of their loved ones’ fate.In the tunnels, the rescuers had to

brave the chance of continuing fires andfurther explosions, as well as afterdamp— a lethal mix of carbon dioxide, car-bon monoxide and nitrogen. In fact, asthe rescue parties moved deeper, a num-ber of the men were overcome by thegases and had to be brought up to thesurface.

In the chaos following the explo-sion, it was some time before the res-cuers thought to investigate the No. 2slope. When an exploration partydescended to the 1,300-foot level, theyfound the first of the victims, killed bythe afterdamp that flooded through theventilation shaft. One of the rescuers,Jesse Armishaw, accompanied the firstparty to descend into the No. 2 slopewhere he found the bodies of his threesons. Within a short distance, 20 bod-ies were located, all killed by the toxicgas. At this news, and the realization


The Springhill mining disaster of 1891

by Dan Zlotnikov

Rescuing party in the mine, 1891.Image courtesy of Carl Demings of Nova Scotia

mining lore

that no more survivors would befound, the rescue operations werehalted until the mine could be venti-lated further.

By 11 p.m. that night operationsresumed, focusing on recovery of thedead. The No. 2 slope was sufficientlyventilated to allow the volunteers topenetrate deeper into the tunnels andretrieve the bodies. By Sunday morning,

47 were found and brought to the sur-face. Recovery operations continued forseveral days, and the final death tollstood at 121 dead immediately orshortly after the blast, and four moresuccumbing to injuries after beingbrought to the surface.

Funerals continued throughout thefollowing week, sometimes with multi-ple services being conducted simultane-

ously at different parts of the cemetery.The funeral of the mine manager, HenrySwift, was followed by a three-quartermile long procession of mourners, withthe streets lined with the townspeople.

The scale of the accident wasunprecedented in Canadian mining his-tory. The dead miners left behind 57widows, 169 fatherless children andeight widowed mothers. In response tothe town’s request for support, dona-tions flowed in from cities in bothCanada and the United States. Amongthose who contributed to the relief fundwere Queen Victoria and the GovernorGeneral of Canada.

Despite the shock of the accident, themine returned to operations less thantwo weeks later. It remained the princi-pal employer in Springhill until the sec-ond (1956) and third (1958) accidents.Following the third one, the mine wasdeemed too unsafe and shut down per-manently. CIM

February 2008 | 59

Sad scene around the pit, 1891. Image courtesy of Carl Demings of Nova Scotia

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innovation page

Continuous improvement in miningis being supported by a group that regu-larly meets to learn about innovations inoperating both shovel and truck equip-ment. It’s appropriately called theTruck/Shovel Users Group (TSUG) andit builds on a track record of miningfirms working together and learningfrom each other when it comes to equip-ment performance. While historicallymuch of this information sharing hasbeen done in an informal manner, theTSUG was established to provide a moreformal mechanism to enable learning tooccur.

The TSUG has been operating forabout three years, and it has been foundthat significant benefits result to partici-pating members when they share someof their successes and issues with equip-ment performance. It also provides a

forum foroperators tolook for com-

monality in terms of equipment per-formance topics, which is intended todirectly support mine equipment manu-facturers in terms of focusing this feed-back and enabling them to addressissues on a more universal basis.Further, we know mining to be a high-technology business, and are continu-ally supported by mine equipment man-ufacturers developing new and benefi-

cial technologies to improve perform-ance. The TSUG has a wide range ofmembership that tests these new tech-nologies under many different applica-tions and conditions, and is looking toprovide feedback on technology per-formance to equipment manufacturersin a concise and coordinated manner.

The focus for TSUG meetings isbased on treating equipment perform-ance holistically in terms of safety, oper-ation and maintenance. The technology

development that supports equipmentdesign can act to focus discussions onmaintenance and reliability considera-tions. In the TSUG, the equipment isconsidered as part of a whole operatingsystem, and in that regard it focuses notonly on maintenance but also on thepractices of operation and the safety ofpeople who work with the equipment,making it a somewhat unique groupwithin the mining industry.

The TSUG seeks to use an interac-tive approach in their meeting processto encourage participation and learn-ing. It is realized that many of thoseworking on the front line of the min-ing industry are heavily engaged, andthe work to compile more formal pre-sentations, while valuable, is not nec-essarily the vehicle of choice for shar-ing information effectively to groupsthat meet to dialogue on the subjectsat hand. To address this, each sessionhas an open agenda that concentrateson the three aspects of equipment per-formance mentioned earlier — main-tenance, operations and safety. The


The Truck/Shovel Users Group supports innovation in mining

John Thomas Gord Winkel

by John Thomas and Gord Winkel

Large-class shovel and truck.Photo courtesy of QuebecCartier Mining

innovation page

value proposition for the TSUG isdriven by the intent of members toreturn from their sessions with infor-mation significantly helpful to theirrespective operations in each of thethree categories to merit this partici-pation. Driven by this value proposi-tion, each participant is expected toshare this caliber of value-added infor-mation with the balance of the grouptowards synergistically achieving alearning environment that supportsincreasing the effectiveness of theirrespective mining operations.

The TSUG value proposition is alsosupported through the rotation of meet-

ing venues todifferent minesites operatedby the mem-bership. Anintegral partof everyTSUG session

includes a comprehensive tour of theoperation they are visiting. Experiencehas shown that host operators have ben-efited greatly from the comments andperspectives of visiting members in thatmany of the elements of a mining oper-ation that are considered to be areas ofopportunity or issue have beenaddressed by others. Further, in anyhost mine there are elements of an oper-ation that successfully demonstratepractices that may still be a source ofchallenge for others. In addition, evenestablished procedures can enjoy con-tinuous improvement through theobservations from members that are

new to the operation and view it from adifferent experience base.

In terms of future objectives, theTSUG is working to more fully engagethe equipment manufacturers in such away that the information gained fromTSUG sessions can be used effectivelyby them and shared throughout theindustry.

The Truck/Shovel Users Group rep-resents yet another collaborative effortby mining people to improve the over-all effectiveness of the mining industrythrough sharing of grassroots innova-tions at work in many operations. For further information on the TSUG please contact John [email protected] or Tom [email protected]. CIM

About the Authors John Thomas is manager,heavy trades, Syncrude Canada Ltd., and GordWinkel is oil sands technology manager, Kearl OilSands Project, Imperial Oil Resources

February 2008 | 61

THAT WILL BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINETHAT WILL BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINETHAT WILL BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINE

The TSUG is working to more fully engage the

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HR outlook


need may be as high as 9,200new workers per year over thenext 10 years (Mining IndustryHuman Resources Council,2007). To address these HR chal-lenges, industry has developed astrategy for workforce develop-ment and skills recognitionthrough the National MiningCredentials Program.

This initiative, under thecoordination of the MiningIndustry Human ResourcesCouncil, began in 2006 with thedevelopment of the first three

National Occupational Standards for theCanadian mining industry. TheseNational Occupational Standards werecreated for the occupational areas ofunderground mining, surface mining

and minerals processing operations.These first sets of standards will serve asa foundation for two systems under theumbrella of the National MiningCredentials Program:• the Mining Worker Certification

System• the Mining Training Accreditation

SystemThe certification and accreditation

systems will be the first in the Canadiancontext for mine workers and employers.

Historically, there has not been apan-Canadian worker recognitionframework for miners, even thoughmining is a fundamental part of theCanadian economy and culture. ManyCanadian communities thrive becauseof mining, with generations of minerswho have joined the industry.However, with the changing economicoutlook and the different mine clo-sures, as well as new mines opening,there is a need for mine workers topossess a portable credential. Anational certification system wouldprovide such a credential and at thesame time recognize the skills, knowl-edge and experience of minersthrough industry-defined assessment.Development stages for the nationalworker certification system shouldbegin early in 2008.

Proactive workforce planning thataddresses the labour crunch alsorequires proper training tools. Througha national accreditation system, educa-tion and training institutions will beable to develop training and curriculathat responds to industry’s skills needs.Accreditation will also ensure that thereis consistent training across Canada, astraining programs will use the NationalOccupational Standards and their asso-ciated training standards as a founda-tion to become accredited.

Moreover, training institutions will bebetter able to attract and train more stu-dents, which will address the skills short-

The Canadian mining industry hasidentified that there will be an increased

demand for mineworkers in the com-

ing years. Current estimates suggest the

Defining the work we do:the National Mining Credentials Program

by Veronica Sanchez

Foreign Credentials Recognition couldbe developed, using the NationalOccupational Standards as a foundation.

age. This can be accomplished throughpromoting industry’s endorsement ofaccredited training programs thatincrease the hiring rates of new graduates.

Planned activities on the develop-ment of a training accreditation systemshould begin later in 2008.

These tools will be developedthrough industry consultation at everystep of the way to ensure that they haveindustry’s stamp of approval. Thus, thedevelopment process will take sometime, but the first certified workers willhave gone through the process withinthe next two years. In the meantime, it ispossible to develop other programming,based on the National OccupationalStandards that lead to accreditation andcertification, as can be seen in the figure.

For instance, one of the objectives forthe next phase of development is the cre-ation of entry-level skills profiles or train-ing standards, based on the NationalOccupational Standards for undergroundmining, surface mining and mineralsprocessing operations. Entry-level skillswould define the curriculum require-ments for training new workers in theindustry; in other words, the skills andknowledge new workers should possessto enter a mining occupation.

On the other side, assessment guidesfor Prior Learning Assessment and

February 2008 | 63

HR outlook

About the Author Veronica Sanchez is project manager, MiHR

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These guides would expand the labourpool by identifying skills of exitingworkers from industries in decline, suchas forestry. They would also serve toassess the skills of new Canadians andforeign workers wishing to enter a min-ing occupation. Based on the identifiedrequirements stemming from theseguides, gap training programs could bedeveloped to fully equip these workersfor a career in mining.

These programs and systems wouldnot be possible without industry par-ticipation. Industry has contributedand engaged in the developmentprocess, ensuring that the resultingoutputs are by industry, for industry.Continued industry participation andengagement is the backbone of theseprograms that will provide industryrecognition for skills and workforcedevelopment tools. CIMConceptual framework for building a credential program

parlons-en

Impossible, me répondrez-vous !Mais alors, pourquoi la géophysiquearrive à convaincre des gens fort expéri-mentés de ne pas forer une lentille con-tenant 50 % de chalcopyrite ? Commentdéterminer la nécessité de forer une tellelentille si le levé géophysique EM detype MaxMin au sol ne la détecte pasalors que de nombreux sulfures decuivre sont visibles dans la tranchée !

Ce n’est que récemment, à la suite detravaux géophysiques de type EM, Maget PP sur l’ancienne mine d’Opémiscasituée à Chapais dans la province de

Québec au Canada,qu’Edwin Gaucher,

ancien vice président de Soquem et con-sultant en géophysique, a observé que lachalcopyrite est très fréquemment nonconductrice. Autrement, si elle réagit,elle ne donne au mieux qu’une anomalieà peine perceptible lors d’un levé aérienEM ou d’un levé MaxMin au sol. C’estexactement ce qui a été observé sur legisement d’Opémisca, une mine ayantproduit plus de 20 millions de tonnes deminerai à 3 % de cuivre dans le passé.

Est-ce possible que l’industrie nous dicte de ne pas forer une anomaliecontenant 50 % de chalcopyrite ?

Cela suggère que nonseulement l’ancien sited’Opémisca possède unpotentiel élevé, mais aussique bien d’autres pro-priétés minières auCanada pourraientrévéler des découvertesplus nombreuses qu’onne le pensait jusqu’àprésent.

Pour éviter que vouspassiez à côté de nou-velles mines sans les voir,cet article a pour objectifde vous sensibiliserbrièvement à la variabilitéde la conductivité des sul-fures et de leurs réponsesaux différents levés géo-

physiques que vous soyez géologues,ingénieurs, promoteurs ouprospecteurs. En effet, lors d’une cam-pagne de forage normale, vous sereztentés de forer seulement les plus fortesanomalies souvent associées à des sul-fures de pyrrhotine, à des horizons degraphite qui sont jusqu’à mille fois plusconducteurs que la chalcopyrite ouencore à des sulfures de cuivre s’ils veu-lent bien réagir comme de faibles con-ducteurs, ce qui est rarement le cas.

La série d’événements ayant convaincu M. Edwin Gaucher

Après la fermeture de la mined’Opémisca vers le milieu des années80, Edwin Gaucher jalonna ses conces-sions minières. Il utilisa différentesméthodes géophysiques pour essayerde détecter le minerai de cuivre deslentilles laissées en place comme piliersde surface. Par exemple, un levé deMaxMin sur une lentille forée en 2003

L’auteur Pierre Gaucher, directeur général et vice-président, Instrumentation GDD Inc.

ne donna aucune réponse géophysiqueen termes de conductivité même sicelle-ci mesurait 30 mètres de longueurpar 30 mètres de profondeur par 1 à 2.5mètres de largeur et qu’elle contenaitselon les analyses plus de 15 % de chal-copyrite. Ce n’est qu’après avoirmesuré la conductivité des carottes deforage avec une sonde MPP-EM2S+fabriquée par la compagnieInstrumentation GDD Inc. qu’Edwinobserva que la chalcopyrite n’était pasconductrice. Et les seuls conducteursperceptibles avec la sonde MPP dansles carottes étaient des minuscules“taches” de pyrrhotine, ce matériauétant environ 1 000 fois plus conduc-teur que la chalcopyrite.

ConclusionMalgré la grande expérience d’Edwin

Gaucher au niveau de la géophysique,du suivi au sol, de la géologie, de l’ex-ploration, de la recherche et développe-ment et de la prospection, il a comprisque la chalcopyrite est rarement un con-ducteur dans un levé EM. C’est unique-ment lorsqu’il a mesuré, avec la sondeMPP, la conductivité des sulfures descarottes de ses propres forages et decelles présentées aux conventions telque le PDAC et le Roundup, qu’il con-firma que beaucoup d’autres mineraisriches en sulfures n’étaient pas ou peuconducteurs. Il comprit égalementpourquoi en 1968, un forage sur unetrès faible anomalie (-2,-4) de Turamavait intercepté 20 mètres titrant 10 %de cuivre, soit 30 % de chalcopyrite,résultant en la découverte de la mineLouvem. Cette première mine a conduità la découverte de la mine Louvicourt,une mine bien plus importante, sur sonprolongement. CIM


par Pierre Gaucher

De gauche à droite : Pierre et Edwin Gaucher

canadians abroad

February 2008 | 65

When travelling a lot, for many yearsand to many places, you inevitablyexpose yourself to countless troubles.Maurice Bichsel is no exception and hadhis fair share of them — from beinglocked up in a cell to being expelledfrom a country, mobbed and seriouslythreatened to be hanged, to mentiononly a few.

The trials and tribulations endedwell and today Bichsel is serving as thedirector of international market devel-opment for CAMESE, but the journeyto his current post was long andspanned the globe many times over.

A native of Switzerland, Bichsel grad-uated with a degree in electromechani-cal engineering. As he put it, “You study,study, study, get the piece of paper —the proudly earned diploma — anddon’t know what do with yourself next.”So, following his military service (com-pulsory at the time), Bichsel answeredan ad from a company looking for engi-neers, went to the interview and gothired. The job was as a field serviceengineer for Applied ResearchLaboratories, an instrumentation divi-sion of Bausch & Lomb.

“We manufactured spectrometers,”explained Bichsel. “There aren’t manymanufacturers around the world, andthe complex devices are primarily usedfor the chemical analysis of metals.”After two months of training, youngBichsel was shipped off to the company’soffice in Germany. He was then trans-ferred to Sweden for a year, followed by

Iran, back toSwitzerland and,shortly after,

South Africa. It was in South Africa thathe had taken the opportunity to godown into an underground gold mine,some 1,400 metres below the surface.After South Africa, he spent over twoyears in Spain, and that, as they say, wasonly the beginning.

In the first few years of travelling,one of his biggest handicaps, accordingto Bichsel, was language.

“My job wasn’t just setting up thespectrometer in the lab,” he explained.“I also had to train people to use it. MyEnglish at that time was very basic. Thefirst few years, going to Greece, Turkey,Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia…communica-tion was a challenge.”

But when business took him morefrequently to Eastern Europe, Bichseladded, “Even if you could speak thenative tongue perfectly, you’d still have

at least two people followingyou around.” One was thetranslator, but Bichsel neverwas quite sure what theother one’s title was. “Neverknew who was watchingwhom.”

Bichsel faced a similar sit-uation on his first visit toChina in 1987, this time as asales engineer for a companymaking data acquisition sys-tems for railways.

“There was some cultureshock,” he admitted. “Thething that struck me firstwas just the mass of people,and the stereotypical picture

of these wide avenues, with a constantstream of people on bicycles. And ofcourse, all the bicycles were the samecolour and model.”

But here too, Bichsel was issued twotranslators to accompany him at alltimes. What differed, he explained, wasthe reason. “It wasn’t to make sure noone was criticizing the regime, but toensure that no information was lost ormisinterpreted in translation.”

by Dan Zlotnikov

Maurice Bichsel

Only for half an hour

Overall, he added, his Chinese hoststreated him very much like an honouredguest. “At the time, they were openingthe gates slightly, and letting people intoChina, but getting a visa was not sim-ple,” he recalled. He also experiencedthe downside of VIP treatment.

“They didn’t want me to have to go toa restaurant, so every day they broughtme food from the cafeteria — which wasonly for managers’ use — in these

dented army alu-minum dishes. Inever found outwhat the food wascalled, but they alsobrought this verystrong rice liquor,for which I was verygrateful, because ithelped keep thefood down. It was-n’t very good.”

Bichsel’s first tripto Canada was in1977. “No doubtfulinterpreters, nostrong liquorneeded. It was thediscovery of theland of cowboysand indians that Ihad seen so manytimes in westernmovies.” The firstdiscovery was themodern city ofCalgary and themodern cowboysdriving trucks.

By the timeBichsel came toCAMESE, he hadbeen to quite a fewcountries. That’sexactly what he toldhis interviewer andfuture boss,CAMESE’s manag-ing director JonBaird. But, Bichselsaid, Baird wantedsomething morespecific.

“Jon asked,‘how many is a few? Three? 20?’ So Isaid, ‘I think it’s 88, 89 countries.’ AndJon said, ‘Maurice, I’m sorry, I cannothire you. I’ve only been to 70-odd; itwouldn’t be fair.’”

Nevertheless, Bichsel was hired andhas been working with CAMESE forover three years now. If anything, hisschedule has become busier than before.

“Internationally, we do an average of10 to 12 tradeshows a year,” he

explained. “CAMESE always has abooth and always organizes theCanadian pavilion, and is very visibleand well-known.” But, as soon as oneshow is done, Bichsel has to hurry backto prepare the next one. There is littletime for holidays with his busy sched-ule, but when there isn’t enough timebetween two shows to even go back toCanada, he sometimes indulges himselfwith a long weekend. So last year, withonly a few days between two tradeshows in China, he went to Guilin andthe Li River.

“Guilin is an absolutely beautifularea. Think of the Sugar LoafMountain in Rio de Janeiro,” heexplained. “Guilin has the same typeof rock formations, but 600 squarekilometres of them.” The area hasinspired many artists, poets and evenfilms, he added. Guilin is not theonly spectacular place Bichsel hashad a chance to see. Over the years,his trips tended to average threemonths in a country, and it was notuncommon for him to find three orfour days to explore. Though, headmitted to having never made it toAntarctica — something he is stillhopeful about.

Besides the risky situations, there arethe humorous ones. Beware: Braziliantaxis lose their passengers! On oneoccasion, after a long workday in Brazil,Bichsel called a cab on the street.

“I rush into the car, give the driverdirections to my hotel. The driver is in ahurry and loses his way. At one point hemakes a sharp and fast U-turn, the dooropens, and I am ejected from the car,roll over and find myself crumpled onthe road, watching the taxi speedingaway. After a good 80 metres, the driverrealizes he lost his passenger. He thenmakes another U-turn and drives backto pick me up.”

The outcome of this rather roughjourney was that he didn’t have to paythe cab fare.

Bichsel is quite willing to share hishard-earned tips for staying out oftrouble. “Keep a low profile, be awareand don’t pretend you know betterthan the locals.” CIM


Temple overlooking the town of Yangshuo and the Li River near Green Lotus Peak in Guangxi Province (credit: Filipe Fortes)

canadians abroad

engineering exchange

February 2008 | 67

Adanac MolybdenumCorporation’s Ruby Creekmolybdenum project hasrecently received theEnvironmental AssessmentCertificate and required permit-ting to begin construction at theproject site in northern BritishColumbia. The proposed openpit mine has a 22-year life at aproduction rate of 20,000 tonnesper day, and is the largest molyb-denum mine to be approved inBritish Columbia in recent years.

Vancouver consultants KlohnCrippen Berger Ltd. celebratethis accomplishment withAdanac. KCBL was retained byAdanac to provide the engineer-ing and environmental servicesnecessary to obtain the EAC andconstruction permits, requiredfor the project construction.

Adhering to Adanac’s highenvironmental standard, KCBLdeveloped several new engineering andenvironmental solutions to the pro-ject’s many unique challenges. Theinnovations used to lessen the impactof the mine on the environment havequite possibly set a new benchmark forthe mining industry in BritishColumbia.

Under the direction of HowardPlewes, principal, the KCBL team ofengineers faced the challenge of

designing the project’stailings and water

management facilities within the nar-row confines of the Ruby Creek valley.Key features of the design include:• Adjusting the location of the tailings

dam to accommodate physical fea-tures of the valley, including basaltflows from the ancient RubyMountain volcano.

• The non-acid generating character-istics of the tailings. This enabledthe use of a cyclone dam in the tail-

by Haidee Weldon

Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd:setting benchmarks for mining in BC

ings design. “It was a welcome partof the project, as KCBL has 40 yearsof experience using cyclone damtechnology,” said Plewes.

• Dump locations for waste rock arestrategically placed in the confinesof the Ruby Creek valley to mini-mize the footprint of the mine.

• Ten kilometres of surface waterdiversions to pass clean water fromthe Ruby Creek catchment aroundthe waste dump and tailings facility.Brian James, manager of the envi-

ronmental group at KCBL, is the proj-ect manager for the Ruby Creek proj-ect. The environmental component ofthis project is quite significant. “Wefaced many challenges,” Brianexplained, “encompassing wildlifebaseline assessments, noise modelling,fish habitat compensation and soil ero-sion prediction modelling.”

In a project this large, there are typ-ically a large and diverse group of

stakeholders. As part of Adanac’s com-mitment to open communication withthe stakeholders, KCBL participatedin a unique approach to the stake-holder consultation process, throughextensive work with the Ruby Creekworking groups for fisheries, wildlifeand geochemistry. The workinggroups facilitated a unique collabora-tive forum where the interests andconcerns of the stakeholders wereopenly discussed and addressed. “Theuse of collaborative working groupsduring the EAC phase of the projectwas really new and innovative, not tomention extremely successful,” Jamesproudly explained.

An innovative approach to noisemodelling was developed by KCBL incollaboration with the WildlifeWorking Group to determine theeffects of daily background noise onlocal wildlife. Impact of noise on localcommunities and worksite employees

Construction underway at Ruby Creek.

engineering exchange

has typically been modelled inthe past, however, little con-sideration has been given tothe impact of noise on localwildlife. Through use of themodel, impacts to cariboucalving and sheep lambingperiods were estimated. As aresult, restricted blastingschedules were developed tominimize the effects of noiseand vibrations during theseperiods.

Another unique environ-mental component of theproject is the design and useof groundwater spawningchannels for the Arcticgrayling species as part of afish habitat compensationplan. As very little is knownabout Arctic grayling, exten-sive baseline surveys wereconducted by KCBL biologists, whofound that grayling preferred exist-ing groundwater channels over openstreams for spawning habitat. Onceconstructed, the groundwaterspawning channels will be the firstused for Arctic grayling in BritishColumbia.

Erosion control and sedimentretention was a key issue for projectdevelopment due to the steep slopes

and mountainous terrain. To over-come this challenge, KCBL scientistsused a revised universal soil lossequation, commonly used for agricul-tural purposes to predict and createan erosion control adaptive manage-ment plan.

In summary, KCBL has successfullyobtained the EnvironmentalAssessment Certificate and regulatorypermitting required to initiate con-

struction. KCBL has not only com-plied with regulatory legislation andpermits, but has gone beyond meetingthese requirements in setting a highstandard for environmentally andsocially conscientious mining inBritish Columbia. KCBL plans to con-tinue provision of integrated social,environmental and engineering serv-ices through project construction,operations and post closure. CIM


Setting up operations at Ruby Creek.

safety

February 2008 | 69

It’s true, people are interested in thelatest technology or the most innova-tive techniques. But let’s face it, when itcomes to the highest of all mining pri-orities, safety takes the cake. It’s a hottopic and companies are continuouslystriving for a zero incident record. Sowhat does it take to ensure a safe andhealthy environment for miners?Andrew Keough, mine superintendentfor David Bell mine — a John T. Ryan2006-2007 trophy recipient — waswilling to share some of the secrets totheir safety success.

The David Bell mine, owned byBarrick Gold and Teck Cominco andpart of Hemlo Mines along with theWilliams Operating Corporation, wonthe John T. Ryan trophy for Ontario inthe Metal Mines category, and it’s easyto see why. The gold mine, located 35kilometres east of Marathon, Ontario,has gone over 150 days incident-freeonsite, and 290 days incident-free forcontractors onsite. To boot, they’vealso won the Mines and AggregatesSafety and Health Association awardfour out of the last five years. Keoughcredits most of their success to specificsafety programs and practices; a thor-ough knowledge and good educationin mining always help as well.

The Neil George 5 Point SafetySystem (a documented safety pro-gram), Field Level Risk Assessment,Plan Job Observation and the InternalResponsibility System are among themany programs that are in place to

ensure that workruns smoothly andsafely.

All of the above are generally aimedat first identifying the hazard, and theneither repairing or reporting it, basedon individual experience. For thosehesitant about pointing out hazards inthe first place, there is the CourageousLeadership course. This teachesemployees to not be fearful aboutstanding up and pointing out anypotential hazard concerns, legitimate

Confessions of a safety success

or not — better safe than sorry. In addi-tion, procedure reviews are done, andeach month a safety meeting is held tokeep ideas flowing and employees upto date on all of the latest safety infor-mation.

Keough, who’s been in the under-ground mining industry for about 28years, also notes that the passing yearshave brought better safety technologyalong with them. Employee involve-ment is now encouraged much more.At David Bell, every employee fills outa five-point card daily, at the bottom ofwhich is space for comments or sug-gestions related to safety.

“Education makes things run much more smoothly,” said Keough.“Knowledge is power and once you’vegot the know-how, you boost yourchances of avoiding an accident.”

Technology is another big factor inthe David Bell mine’s outstandingsafety performance. “It has improvedover the years and the equipment itselfis basically bigger and better,” addedKeough.

So what does a company that hasalready won its fair share of awards andhas been recognized as one of the lead-

ers in mining safety do from here?“Strive to never be complacent and toalways do better!” said Keough. There’salways room for improvement and thewhole point is to change along with thetimes. Continuously auditing tech-niques, aiming for zero incidents, is agreat way to set an example for compa-nies everywhere.

For the David Bell mine, the for-mula for a healthy, happy and, most ofall, safe working environment is simple— educating the future mining genera-tion (and updating the present) is thekey to working safely and harmo-niously. It’s absolutely necessary tofully comprehend any possible hazardsin order to mitigate the possible effects.

Years of experience have taughtmining veterans a great deal. Borrowwhat worked from the past and marryit with what works in the present —the technology and techniques — andthere’s no going wrong. Everyonewants to go home at the end of the dayand safety continues to be a top prior-ity. In fact, with monthly meetings,daily programs and written suggestions— safety at the David Bell mine isthriving on a recipe for success! CIM

David Bell site and crew lineup.

by Carolyn Hersey

the supply side


shrinks and miners lack capital tobuild new mines or invest in newequipment. Then, things pick upmidway through the decade onlyto recede by the end of the ten-year period.

Many analysts feel that com-modity prices peaked for thiscycle early in 2007, which wouldfit the normal cyclical pattern.Most predictions, however, indi-cate that commodity prices willremain high, partly because of theweakness of the US dollar, andpartly because the cost of finding,extracting and processing ore hasbeen rising substantially.

Against the ten-year cycle the-ory, some analysts say that we arein a supercycle fuelled by Chinaand India, and that demand formined commodities will, for a

long time, continue strong. Whateverthe length of the cycle, the miningindustry should continue to give itssuppliers good business during 2008.

Climate change and the need toreduce greenhouse gas emissions isalso an issue that could affect mining.The uranium price is very high inanticipation of development of “clean”nuclear power. Over the long run, coaland oil sands-derived oil may sufferunless a means of sequestering green-house gas emissions is adopted.Emissions from the whole Canadianmining industry could be capped andtaxed, possibly leaving us in a poorposition to compete with producers inother countries.

Another factor already in play thatwill become worse in 2008 is the short-age of managers, professionals andskilled trades people. The industry hassized up the problem and positiveaction is underway, but a quick-fix that

How will 2008 treat mining suppliers?A page for and about the supply side

of the Canadian mining industry

will alleviate the situation in 2008 isnot possible. Such shortage is, ofcourse, an advantage for suppliers thathave the manpower, but bad for thosethat do not.

Another question concerns howCanada’s ranking in the world of min-ing will fare over the next year. Givenour large land mass and prospectivity,Canada should be able to maintain itsposition, attracting some 19 per cent ofworld exploration expenditures. Thiswill depend partly on whether the fed-eral government makes enhanced flow-through tax provisions permanent.

Canadian reserves of base metalshave been declining steadily to 25 percent of what they were 25 years ago.With the high level of explorationunderway for the past two or threeyears, 2008 will hopefully be the yearthat we turn this around. In the longerrun, more government support for geo-science is needed to provide the basicinformation leading to new discover-ies. Development of new mines will begood business for mining suppliers.

As far as Canadian major miningcompanies are concerned, billions inmarket capitalization moved to othermarkets in 2007 and consolidationamong big companies carries on.However, of 83 companies in the worldwith a market capitalization of over $1billion, 33 are Canadian.

Overall, 2008 should be a good yearfor Canada’s mining industry and itssuppliers. However, economic cyclicity,exchange rates, global warming, insuf-ficiency of human resources and gov-ernment policy are all factors that,sooner or later, will put us on a downtrend. Mining suppliers should use thepresent strong market conditions tofund innovation and diversification oftheir client base. CIM

Currently, there are many factorsat play in global economics andmining that may affect the

Canadian mining industry and its sup-pliers in 2008.

The strength of the Canadian dollar,rising 25 per cent against the US dollarin 2007, is much in the news, and mostobservers see it staying at par or abovethroughout next year. This weakeningof the American dollar raises the valueof gold and other mined commodities inthat currency, thus offsetting, to some

degree, the fact thatCanadian mining compa-

nies receive less Canadian dollars inexchange. Mining suppliers that exportwill have to offer even more productivesolutions in order to justify higherprices. On the other hand, their foreignpurchases will be less costly than before.

For the past five decades or so, ourindustry has followed “boom and bust”cycles with periods of about ten years.Typically, in the early years of a decadecommodity prices are low, exploration About the Author Jon Baird is managing director for CAMESE

by Jon Baird

February 2008 | 71

cim newsAoun, Tarek, United Arab EmiratesAssie, Kouadio Etienne, GermanyBegin, Jacques, QuébecBridge, Rachel, OntarioBuzas, Michael, New BrunswickCai, Hui, OntarioChurchill, Frederick, QuébecDeMark, Pamela, British ColumbiaDuncan, Barry, AlbertaFidler, Courtney, British ColumbiaFulton, Bruce, AustraliaGagnier, Claude, QuébecGallon, Martin, USAGenty, Thomas, QuébecGermain, Paul, QuébecHaanen, Geoff, SaskatchewanHaloui, Jawad, QuébecHughes, Elizabeth, British ColumbiaKenzap, Serguei, OntarioKiris, Koray, TurkeyLadd, Scott, OntarioLeong, Kitty, British ColumbiaMacDonald, A.G., Nova ScotiaMackie, Rob, British ColumbiaMao, Mai, OntarioMcCreary, Rick, OntarioMcKenzie, Nathan, OntarioMcLean, Hayley, Northwest TerritoriesMills, Patricia, OntarioMorris, Eric, Ontario

Musunuri, Sesha Anand Ram, Québec

Orlikow, Gordon, Ontario

Owainati, Jafar, Ontario

Pandher, Rajan, Ontario

Parreira, Juliana, British Columbia

Potter, Lucy, Québec

Pretorius, Patrius, Saskatchewan

Przybylowski, Jackie, Ontario

Reiter, Bryce, Saskatchewan

Ribout, Jacques, Ontario

Robinson, Michelle, Mexico

Sawall, Kirk, USA

Schrimpf, Thomas, Australia

Sikka, Patrick, Ontario

Squair, Ian, British Columbia

Tapper, Andrew, Ontario

Thomson, Aaron, British Columbia

Trueman, Alex, British Columbia

Usenmez, Kerem, Manitoba

Veldhuis, Dan, Alberta

Wang, Meng, Ontario

Wang, Yong, Ontario

Ward, Julie, Ontario

Wilson, Brian, Ontario

Zacerkowny, Orest, Ontario

Zurowski, Jennifer, Ontario

CorporateCanada Kalprotect

CIM welcomes new members

A look back in time20 YEARS AGO…

• The technical section of the issue featured papers on mineral explo-ration.

• Bob Latimer of the Rocky Mountain Branch of CIM received the 1987District 5 Distinguished Service Award.

• The lineup of speakers slated for the plenary session at the 1988 CIMAnnual General Meeting featured Jim Gardiner, vice president, oper-ations and development, Fording Coal; Dennis Love, general man-ager of mining, Syncrude Canada; Jim McCambly, president,Canadian Federation of Labour; and Bob Hallbauer, president andCEO, Cominco.

• Sean Conway was appointed Government House Leader and Ministerof Mines of Ontario.

The above was taken from the February 1988 issue of CIM Bulletin.

ObituariesCIM expresses its sincere condolences to the

families and friends of the following members:

Carol Fournel joined CIM in 1995. He passedaway in the summer of 2007.

Frank Godfrey became a member of CIM in1949. He passed away in the summer of 2007.

Howard R. Hogan joined CIM as a junior mem-ber in 1955 and became a life member in 1990.He passed away in August 2007.

Alan Ferguson Killin joined CIM in 1954 andbecame a life member in 1985. He passed awayin October 2007.

James T. McMullan had been a member of CIMsince 1949. He became a life member in 1987.

Ashton W. Mullan joined CIM in 1952 andbecame a life member in 1989.

William Henry Muloin, a member since 1956,achieved life member status in 1991.

George Douglas Ruttan joined CIM in 1939and became a life member in 1975.

Marie Louis Trepanier became a member ofCIM in 1951. He attained life member status in1987.

John Douglas Wild joined CIM in 1950 andbecame a life member in 1988.

Arthur Foley passed away on October 25,2007. He began his mining career undergroundat Lamaque mine in Val-d’Or, Quebec andworked his way up the corporate ladder to hisrole as mine manager from 1960 to his retire-ment in 1978. During that time, he was alsoproject manager of Niobec Mining Co. A lifemember of CIM, he created a Canadian Miningand Metallurgical Foundation scholarship inhis wife’s name, awarded to a mining engineer-ing student attending École Polytechnique deMontréal.

L’auteur Pierre Laroche est vice-président,Section de Thetford Mines de l’ICM

Le 14 novembre dernier, plus d’unecinquantaine de membres de la sectionde Thetford Mines de l’ICM visitaient(la plupart pour la première fois) lesinstallations de Nichromet Extraction àBlack Lake. Cette usine-pilote installéedans un bâtiment de l’ancienne minede chrysotile British Canadian no 1 àBlack Lake (Thetford Mines) est dédiéeà l’extraction du nickel et autres sub-stances contenues dans les résidus deserpentine des mines de chrysotile dela région.

Le vice-président, monsieur Jean-Marc Lalancette a d’abord expliquébrièvement le procédé d’extraction quiconsiste à dissoudre la serpentine avecde l’acide chlorhydrique. Cet acide dis-pendieux est fabriqué sur place par réac-tion chimique d’un acide commun etpeu dispendieux, l’acide sulfurique,avec du chlorure de potassium importéde l’Ouest. Il en résulte un sous-produit,le sulfate de potassium qui peut êtrevendu comme fertilisant.

Selon monsieur Lalancette, leprocédé d’extraction de nickel sedéroulant à la pression atmosphériqueet à une température ne dépassant pas150 ºC, les coûts d’investissements etd’opération sont ainsi réduits par rap-port aux procédés conventionnels depyrométallurgie (haute températurepour fondre les concentrés) ou d’hy-drométallurgie conventionnelle à pres-sion élevée (qui requiert des autoclavesou réacteurs très dispendieux).

La direction et leschefs d’équipe deNichromet (MM.David Lemieux,

Bertrand Dubreuil, FrançoisLarouche, et Mme CarolineChouinard) ont ensuite guidé les par-ticipants par petits groupes à traversl’usine pour leur expliquer en détailsles opérations réparties dans troissalles. L’une des salles est consacrée

Visite à Nichromet

Visit to Nichromet facilities

au traitement mécanique des résidusde serpentine (broyage et tamisage).Une seconde section est dédiée à lafabrication de l’acide chlorhydrique etla dernière salle est utilisée pour atta-quer les résidus de serpentine àl’acide et produire du chlorure denickel, un liquide vert qui pourra êtrevendu à des producteurs de nickelmétallique.

La capacité actuelle de l’usine-piloteest de traiter 1,0 tonne à l’heure de

résidus de serpentine. La prochaineétape sera d’ériger une usine intermédi-aire d’une capacité de 15 tonnes/heure.Un investissement d’environ 50 à 60millions $ sera requis, ce qui pourraitcréer une cinquantaine d’emplois dansnotre région.

Les participants ont été impression-nés par l’état d’avancement deNichromet dans la récupérationéventuelle de substances utiles desrésidus miniers à Thetford Mines. CIM

cim news

Last November 14, more than 50members of the CIM Thetford MinesBranch visited (most for the first time)the Nichromet Extraction facilities inBlack Lake. This pilot plant is housedin a building of the old BritishCanadian Asbestos Mine #1 in BlackLake; it is dedicated to the extraction ofnickel and other substances containedin the serpentine tailings of the regionalchrysotile asbestos mines.

The company vice president, Jean-Marc Lalancette, first briefly explainedthe extraction process: dissolving theserpentine with hydrochloric acid. This

expensive acid is produced onsite by achemical reaction between sulphuricacid, a low-cost and fairly commonacid, and potassium chloride importedfrom western Canada. The reaction pro-duces a by-product — potassium sul-phate — which can be sold as fertilizer.

According to Lalancette, the nickelextraction process takes place at atmos-pheric pressure and at a temperature notexceeding 150 degrees Celsius; invest-ment and operating costs are thus lowerthan the conventional pyrometallurgicalprocess (high temperature to melt theconcentrates) or the conventional high-


Les dix employés présents à l’usine devant le réacteur de chloruration à sec dans la salle 2 (de gauche àdroite) : Normand Ouellet, journalier, Normand Cimon, opérateur, Caroline Chouinard, ingénieure, AlainBoucher, électricien, Charles Gagné, opérateur, Laury Gauthier, chimiste, Roger Paré, opérateur, DavidLemieux, directeur des opérations, Bertrand Dubreuil, directeur technique, et Steeve Marchand, opérateur.

par Pierre Laroche

cim news

February 2008 | 73

pressure hydrometallurgical process(requiring very expensive autoclaves orreactors).

Upper management and team leaders (David Lemieux, BertrandDubreuil, François Larouche andCaroline Chouinard) then guided smallgroups of participants through theplant to explain in detail the operationstaking place in three rooms: one roomis reserved for the mechanical process-ing of serpentine tailings (grinding andsieving); a second is reserved for theproduction of hydrochloric acid; and inthe last, the serpentine tailings are

attacked by the acid, producing nickelchloride, a green liquid that can be soldto metallic nickel producers.

The pilot plant can currently treat ser-pentine tailings at a rate of 1.0 tonnes perhour. The next step will be to build anintermediate size plant with a 15-tonneper hour capacity. This will require aninvestment of $50 to 60 million andcould create about 50 jobs in our region.

The participants were impressedwith the advanced stage of theNichromet process in the eventualrecovery of useful substances in theThetford Mines tailings. CIM

Getting to know youAn interview with a CIM Distinguished Lecturer

Hamilton Branchkicks off 2007-2008 season

About the Author John Thomas is pastchair, CIM Hamilton Branch

by John ThomasChief Glenn

Nolan, one of this year’s CIMDis t ingu i shedLecturers, is astrong advocatefor sharing infor-mation betweenthe mining indus-try and FirstNations commu-nities. His entic-ing and informa-

tive lecture, “Engaging First NationsCommunities,” explores the uniqueapproaches in building better partner-

ships between local com-munities and companies.

CIM: What are the major factors pre-sented in your talk?G.N.: There is a need to understand theissues that aboriginal communities face,and how to develop meaningful dia-logue leading to long-term relationshipbuilding for mutual benefits. I talkabout how companies can step forwardto assist in the building of positive rela-tionships and meaningful participationin the industry by aboriginal people.

CIM: Why get involved with the CIMDistinguished Lecturer program?G.N.: I am a firm believer that opportu-nities are developed through the sharingof information, meaningful communityengagement and willingness of the par-ties to work together. The CIMDistinguished Lecturer Program pro-vides such opportunities.

CIM: What do you hope to achieve withyour lecture?G.N.: There is a changing environmentranging from legal to financial to social,to engage aboriginal communities in allaspects of resource development. I hopeto bring greater awareness of the oppor-tunities to work with the communitiesthat have development in their territory.

CIM: Your advocacy work and careerhave led you through many experi-ences. What has been the highlight ofyour career? G.N.: After a long day of working out onthe land conducting surveys, I am sit-ting in the kitchen tent, sharing a laughwith my colleagues, knowing that thework we are doing has direct benefits tothem and to their families. CIM

by Robertina Pillo

On November 21, 2007, the CIMHamilton Branch held its first dinnermeeting of the 2007-2008 year. Guestspeaker Demetrius Tsafaridis, presi-dent, Carego Holdings Inc., spokeabout the genesis of Carego as a coilwarehouser, its current developmentas a supply chain management com-pany for many different products uti-lizing truck, ship, and rail, as well asthe maintenance/repair of rail cars,and supplying value chain analysisand methodology for other compa-nies. The dinner meeting was theannual Past Chair Night with 11 pastchairs in attendance. CIM

Branch past chairs, from left to right: Shannon Clark(2003-2004), Mick Bancroft (2005-2006), Jane Wood(1992-1993), John Thomas (1999-2000), DianeMurray (2000-2001), Gord Irons (1982-1983), JeffMayberry (2002-2003), Tony DiValentino (1991-1992), Peter Stubbs (1973-1974), Tracy MacPherson(2007-2008), John Lennartz (2004-2005), BillWallace (1963-1964) and Demetrius Tsafaridis (guestspeaker).

mac factsOf the 45 resource, manufacturingand services sectors listed in theStatistics Canada tables,the mining sector ranks ninth in R&D spending.

Chief Glenn Nolan

Sponsored by:

cim news

CIM: Why did you get involved with thebranch?G.R.: I have been involved in the branchsince 1999. At that time, I worked inoperations at the Polaris mine inNunavut, but was living in PrinceGeorge. Then, in 2001, I started work-ing at Kemess and I was interested inwhat was happening in mining inBritish Columbia. CIM has always beena great source of information and net-working and I wanted to be involved. In2006, I joined the executive as a mem-ber-at-large and was working with theexecutive on the AGM that year, whichdue to various reasons, did not material-ize.

I volunteered as the acting chairman,working with the past executive, to getthe branch going again. I also had goodsupport from the mines and suppliers inthe area.

CIM: Why revitalize the branch now?G.R.: With the mining sector taking offlike it has over the years and the poten-tial of another 24 mines in British

Columbia open-ing within the

next five years, I thought it would begood to get this branch reactivated.There are presently 24 mines in theenvironmental review process in BC,with a large portion of these mines innorthern BC. Basically, all the minesand potential mines in BC are workingwith the First Nations and I thoughtCIM would be a good medium for boththe mining and First Nations groups tomeet, discuss and learn from each

The North-Central BC Branch of CIM was established in November1997 and was thriving for almost six years. Unfortunately, with theclosure of the Gibraltar and Mount Polley mines, the branch

became dormant. In November of last year, a decade after its creation, a definitive effort was

made to revitalize the branch — a meeting was held, during which a newexecutive was elected, presentations were made and dates were set for their2008 AGM. Greg Rasmussen, the new branch chair charged with leadingthe revival, provided some insight into the timing of the relaunch.

by Andrea Nichiporuk

CIM branch revitalized

other in a relaxed atmosphere. Thisway we can hopefully help resolvesome of the conflicts in the operationand startup of mining in BC. It’s impor-tant for CIM to strongly promote andsupport the mining industry.

CIM: Where are the branch memberscoming from?G.R.: The members are coming from allover British Columbia. We have mem-bers from the operating metal mines(Kemess, Eskay Creek, Huckleberry,Endako, Gibraltar, Mount Polley andHighland Valley Copper) and coalmines like Western Canadian Coals’Wolverine project. This also includesthe potentially new mines in BC: theRuby Creek project, Red Chris, GaloreCreek, Mt. Milligan, Turnagain,Tulsequah Chief and New Afton.

We also have a good relationshipwith the South Central BC Branch ofCIM, which we hope will grow evenstronger over the next few years.

We have a great showing of suppli-ers and laboratories including Coneco,P&H, Univar Canada, ME-Elecmetal,Quadra Chemicals, WolftekIndustries, Knelson Concentrators,Lynum Progressive Industries, AtlasCopco, Western Belting, Finning,

Orica Canada, Wajax Industries,Transwest and even forestry supplierslike W.L. Forestry Suppliers. Most ofthem come from the immediate area innorth-central British Columbia, butsome also from Kamloops, Vancouverand Alberta.

CIM: Why is it important to have abranch in that region?G.R.: It is important to have a branch inthis area due to the high level of miningactivity in north-central BritishColumbia. There is a lot of new technol-ogy coming into mining, and throughCIM we can improve the learning curvethrough the exchange of knowledge. Wealso want to improve the public view ofmining through meetings and publica-tions; this involves both the local com-munities and the First Nations.

CIM: What activities are being plannedfor this year’s AGM?G.R.: This year’s AGM is scheduled forJune 25 to 27. The technical sessionswill, as of now, include mining, mineralprocessing and coal/petroleum. Ahighly technical presentation on a proj-ect is planned. There will also be aMeet and Greet/Wine and Cheesereception, a branch executive meeting,banquet and golf tournament, amongother things.

We’re looking at sponsoring theNorthern BC Friends of ChildrenSociety. Due to the distance to theChildren’s Hospital, which is located inVancouver, the society’s mission is tohelp those who are unable to meet theexceptional medical costs related to theneeds of their children, mainly travel-ling down to Vancouver. CIM


ErratumMistakes made their way into the December 2007/January 2008 issue of CIM Magazine

(p. 94). The CIM Council list should have stated that Brad Kingston is the chair of theMaintenance and Engineering Society, and George Demopoulos the representative on Councilfor the Metallurgical Society of CIM. We apologize for the errors.

CIM EVENTS

Conférence des étudiants de la section de Québec17 marsSainte-Foy, QuébecContact : René Del VillarTél. : 418.656.7487Fax : 418.656.5343Courriel : [email protected]

Sudbury Branch Student Oyster NightMarch 20Sudbury, OntarioContact: George DarlingTel.: 705.682.3270Email: [email protected]

Winnipeg Branch MeetingGuest speaker to be announcedMarch 20Winnipeg, ManitobaContact: Mark FrancisTel.: 204.942.8992Email: [email protected]

Hamilton Branch Dinner Meetingwith Juergen Schlacher, CEO, Dofasco/Arcelor/Mittal (guest speaker)April 9Burlington, OntarioContact: Shannon ClarkTel.: 905.548.7200, ext. 2035Email: [email protected]

CIM Conference and Exhibition — Edmonton 2008 May 4-7Edmonton, AlbertaContact: Chantal Murphy, CIM Meetings CoordinatorTel.: 514.939.2710, ext. 1309Fax: 514.939.2714Email: [email protected]: www.cim.org

Annual General Meeting of the Mining Society of Nova ScotiaJune 12-13Baddeck, Cape Breton Island, Nova ScotiaContact: Florence SigutTel./Fax: 902.567.2147 Email: [email protected]

Canadian International Petroleum Conference(CIPC)/SPE Gas Technology Symposium 59th Annual Technical MeetingJune 16-19Calgary, AlbertaContact: Dave Cuthiell, Conference ChairmanTel.: 403.205.6876Fax: 403.262.4792Email: [email protected]: www.petsoc.org

North Central BC Branch Annual General MeetingJune 25-27Prince George, British ColumbiaContact: Greg RasmussenTel.: 250.962.6235Fax: 250.962.6332Email: [email protected]

AROUND THE WORLD

PDAC 2008March 2-5Toronto, OntarioContact: Lisa McDougallTel.: 416.362.1969Fax: 416.362.0101Email: [email protected]: www.pdac.ca

First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles, and Heap Leach PadsMarch 5-7Perth, Western AustraliaContact: Josephine Ruddle, Marketing ManagerTel.: +61.8.6488.3300Fax: +61.8.6488.1130Email: [email protected]

Canadian Uranium Symposium — Fuelling the Nuclear RenaissanceApril 2-3Vancouver, British ColumbiaContact: Christopher NeelyTel.: 416.927.0718, ext. 313Toll-free: 877.927.0718, ext. 313Email: [email protected]: www.canadianinstitute.com

1st World Coal-to-Liquids Conference 2008April 3-4Paris, FranceContact: World CTL 2008–MCI Paris Office Tel.: +33.0.1.53.85.82.82Fax: +33.0.1.53.85.82.83Email: [email protected]: www.world-ctl2008.com

Asia Mining CongressApril 7-11SingaporeContact: Lydia SebastianTel: +65.6322.2750Fax: +65.6226.3264Email: [email protected]: www.terrapinn.com/2008/asiamining

Minerals NorthApril 16-18, 2008Smithers, British ColumbiaContact: Christine OgryzloTel.: 250.697.6368Email: [email protected]: www.mineralsnorth.ca

II International Workshop on ProcessHydrometallurgy — Hydroprocess 2008May 14-16Santiago, ChileContact: Fabiola BustamanteTel.: +56.2.652.1555Fax: +56.2.652.1570Email: [email protected]

CA

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February 2008 | 75

A mining engineer in the making

cim news

Recognizing academic excellenceMeet CIM Foundation scholarship recipients


Un futur ingénieur minier

Apassion for science and technology led JonathanGilbert, the winner of the Caterpillar and itsCanadian Dealers Scholarship, to pursue his stud-

ies in engineering. He said: “I’ve been asked a hundredtimes ‘why mining engineering?’ Well, for me, the ideaof working on a project from the planning stage to theoperation stage, where you have to retrieve millions oftonnes of minerals located kilometres underground, fas-cinates me.”

Through the co-op program at Université Laval,Gilbert’s had three diversified work terms. He carriedout project evaluations and learned all the steps in thedevelopment of a mining project at Agnico-Eagle; thenhe honed his skills at a surface mine at QIT-Fer etTitane’s Havre-St-Pierre mine; finally he participated in

excavation cost estimation and blastingactivities in limestone quarries for Inter-Cité Construction.

Over the next few years, Gilbert planson acquiring as much experience as possible. He said,“I have numerous ambitious projects in mind for mycareer. I’m interested in so many aspects of the indus-try — supervision, project management, planningand ground control. I am convinced that these differ-ent aspects of industry complement each other andthat all of these experiences will lead to a very suc-cessful career.”

by Andrea Nichiporuk

Une passion pour la technologie et la science a con-duit Jonathan Gilbert, gagnant de la bourseCaterpillar et ses distributeurs canadiens, vers une

carrière en génie. Il a dit : « L’idée de travailler à la plan-ification et à la conception d’un projet où on doit allerchercher des millions de tonnes de minerai à des kilo-mètres sous la terre me fascine. »

M. Gilbert étudie à l’Université Laval. Il a fait troisstages diversifés. Il a participé à l’évaluation des projetsminiers et a appris toutes les étapes de développementd’un projet minier chez Agnico-Eagle. Ensuite il a tra-vaillé à la mine à ciel ouvert de QIT – Fer et Titane àHavre-St-Pierre.

Il a participé à l’estimation des coûts d’excavation deroc et à des travaux de dynamitage aux carrières de cal-caire de Québec pour Inter-Cité Construction.

Dans les prochaines années, M. Gilbert planifieacquérir le plus d’expérience possible. « Bien que j’ai denombreux projets ambitieux, je ne m’attends pas àsuivre un cheminement linéaire. Je suis intéressé autantpar la supervision et la gestion de projet que par laplanification et les aspects plus techniques comme lecontrôle de terrain. Je pense avoir au cours desprochaines années plusieurs opportunités d’en appren-dre davantage sur ces divers aspects du génie minier etje suis convaincu que toutes ces spécialisations sontcomplémentaires et que l’intégration de toutes cesexpériences me permettra de réaliser une grande car-rière » il conclut.

Jonathan Gilbert

Make way for an up-and-coming geologist

cim news

February 2008 | 77

Andrea Langerud, this year’s Scotiabank and Scotia Capital MarketsScholarship winner, always loved camping, quadding, hiking andfishing. When it came time to choose a career path, she knew

what she was looking for. “I definitely wanted a career that allowed meto explore the outdoors and be adventurous. The minerals industryallows me to spend the majority of my time doing things that I enjoy,”said Langerud.

Family and friends working in the oil and gas industry sparked herinterest in oil exploration. After studying at NAIT, she had made up hermind. “I decided that mineral exploration provided more dynamic, physi-cal and exciting career choices than oil and gas, so I went in that direction.”

A variety of field work has given her a real taste of what explorationwork is all about. “As a technologist with Aurora Geosciences, Iworked all over northern Canada and Alaska. It exposed me to basemetal and diamond projects, all from the grassroots stage to pre-pro-duction stage.” She continued, “I spent last summer working forNorthern Freegold Resources Ltd. at an exploration project in theYukon. I gained some great experience, particularly in core logging,mapping and prospecting. I have also worked as a student geologistfor the Alberta Geological Survey and as an environmental technolo-gist for Stantec Consulting.”

After graduating from the University of Alberta, Langerud would liketo work for an exploration or mining company. However, running asmall consulting firm or managing a junior mining company is some-thing she can definitely see herself doing.

A little advice she offers to new students: “Get into good shape andkeep a big list of contacts.” CIM

Andrea Langerud

A new scholarship is up for grabs!

Awarded twice a year (spring and fall)through the Canadian Mining andMetallurgical Foundation, this $2,500scholarship is available to CIM studentmembers only. Applications must be sub-mitted in English. Complete details areavailable online at:

www.cim.org/students/benefits.cfm

Act fast — you must get yourapplications in by April 15,2008.

Une nouvellebourse vient de

voir le jour !Attribuée deux fois par année (printempset automne) par la Fondation canadiennedes mines et de la métallurgie, cette boursede 2500 $ est offerte aux membres étudi-ants de l'ICM seulement. Les demandesdoivent être soumises en anglais. De plusamples détails sont disponibles au :

www.cim.org/students/benefits/cfm.

Ne tardez pas, les demandesdoivent être reçues avant le 15 avril 2008.

Australia’sInternationalUraniumConference200818–19 June 2008 Adelaide Convention CentreAdelaide, South Australia

Call for Paperswww.ausimm.com

Taking Best Practiceand Education to aNew LevelThe ConferenceAs the demand for uranium and new sources of clean and greenhousefriendly sources of energy increases, this years uranium conference willcontinue to build upon The AusIMM’s hugely successful uraniumconference series that have been held over the past two years. The 2008conference is being internationalized with an expanded focus ondevelopments around the world and with the participation of approximately50 delegates from the Uranium Group which is affiliated with theInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). While the conference is suitablefor anyone interested in the industry, the main focus will continue to be atechnically-based with a strong focus on Best Practice in the sector. Thisyears conference promises to be the best one yet and will be held in thebeautiful city of Adelaide, South Australia.

The ProgramThe Conference will give presenters the chance to exchange information ontopics such as:

Submission of AbstractsClosing date for submission of abstracts: 25 February 2008

Please submit an Abstract not exceeding 300 words in English, viaemail to:

Jennifer Hall, Publications Officer The AusIMM, PO Box 660, Carlton South, VIC 3053Telephone: +61 3 9662 3166 Facsimile: +61 3 9662 3662Email: [email protected]

Tours and WorkshopsBoth pre- and post-conference tours and workshops will be offered. Refer tothe conference website via www.ausimm.com for further information.

All other enquiries including sponsorship and exhibition opportunitiesplease contact:

Alison M McKenzie, Senior Coordinator, Conferences & Events,The AusIMM, PO Box 660, Carlton South, VIC 3053Telephone: +61 3 9658 6123 Facsimile: +61 3 9662 3662Email: [email protected]

• Uranium Geology, Exploration andReporting

• Uranium Processing Technologies

• Mining, Milling and Transport

• Uranium Production

• Updates on International Projects

• Uranium Supply and Demand

• Health, Safety and EnvironmentBest Practice

• Approvals Process for Uranium-Related Activities

• Government Approvals, Policy andCommunity Relations

• Education, Training and Skills

Principal Sponsor

Conference Sponsors

Uranium 2008 Ad – CIM+ 12/11/07 12:28 PM Page 1

May 5, 2008Shaw Conference Centre

Edmonton, Alberta

Tickets1.800.667.1246www.cim.org

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Table of ContentsTable des matières82 Welcome82 Plenary82 Workshops84 Guest Program84 Field Trips86 Social Program87 Student Program88 Bienvenue88 Séance plénière88 Ateliers90 Programme des invitées91 Excursions91 Programme étudiant92 Programme social93 Technical Program /

Programme technique99 Mining in Society /

Les mines dans la société99 Career Fair /

Salon de l’emploi100 CIM Exhibition /

Salon commercial de l’ICM

Mining in Society / Les mines dans la société

Gold / Or

2 Colour:Logo = Pantone 3025Text = Black

Sponsors / CommanditairesPremier

Diamond / Diamant

Ward’s Hydraulic Services Ltd.

Silver / Argent

Bronze / Bronze

Friends / Amis

Organizing CommitteeComité organisateurCIM President / Président, ICMJim Popowich

CIM Executive Director / Directeur executive, ICMJean Vavrek

Honorary Chair / Président honoraireDon Lindsay

General Co-chairs / Co-présidentsTim Joseph, Bruce Bernard

Technical Program / Programme techniqueHeather Ednie, Nick Parchewsky, Adam Noel,Ken Chekerda

Mining in Society Show / Salon Les mines dans la sociétéGord Morris, Josée Dallaire

CIM Exhibition / Salon commercialMartin Bell

Field Trips / ExcursionsRob Carey, Mark Vander-Griend

Workshops / AteliersHoonan Askari-Nasab

Guest and Social Programs /Programmes des activitées sociales et des invitésLaura Joseph, Gord Morris, Denise Knight

Student Program / Programme des étudiantsArtur Walus, Brendan Lalonde

Logistics and Registration /Logistique et inscriptionChantal Murphy

Sponsorship / CommanditesBill Hume

MarketingMarie-Hélène Emond, David Selleck

Budget and Finance / Budget et financeSerge Major

Administration and Finance / Administration et financeAndiea Hermes

District 4 Representative / Représentant, District 4Doug Kramble

District 5 Representative / Représentant, District 5Louise Michaud

District 6 Representative / Représentant, District 6Ed Beswick

Caterpillar Contact / Personne-resource, CatepillarChar Bergin

Saskatoon Potash and Uranium Contact /Personne-ressource, Saskatoon Potasse et uraniumRob Carey

February 2008 | 81

WorkshopsSMART Learning SeminarLearning from the best in operations andsystems integrationThe SMART Learning Seminar will focus on best practices for peopleand systems management. This one-day seminar will be comprised offour modules: best practices from companies outside the minerals indus-try, managing maintenance and people; integrating mine planning withasset management for the business units in the minerals industry;brought to a head with workshop group and panel discussions on issuesraised during the course of the day. This will be your opportunity to dis-cuss how to make the day’s experience really work for your operation.

Information: Tim Joseph, associate professor, School of Mining andPetroleum Engineering, University of Alberta (presenter); $350; Room 2-001; 9:00 to 17:00.

Mining 101This short course will provide a relatively non-technical introduction tothe basic concepts of mining exploration, ore extraction, mineral pro-cessing and mine waste management. Also included will be some keyaspects of the economics of a mining and mineral processing operationand a few ideas about mining in the 21st century. The workshop qual-ifies for the UBC Mining Certificate program, and participants receiveaccess to a complimentary online course by EduMine™. Course sub-sections: ore deposits, mining methods, mineral processing methods,mine waste disposal, mining and money, and future of mining.

Information: Hooman Askari-Nasab, assistant professor, School ofMining Engineering, University of Alberta, and Scott Dunbar, associateprofessor, Mining Engineering Department, University of BritishColumbia (presenters); $150; Room 2-090; 9:00 to 12:00.


Welcome to Edmonton

On behalf of CIM, the organizing committee, our partners andsponsors, welcome to the CIM Conference and Exhibition 2008.Saluting achievement and success — by honouring members ofour industry at the awards gala, while learning best practices

from our colleagues in the plenary and technical program, and net-working in the company of friends — this is Canada’s premier miningevent.

In a year where the CIM Exhibition celebrates its 25th anniversary andengineering education in Alberta celebrates 100 years, we continue tolead a thriving and vital industry across Canada and around the globe.High levels of participation in the conference will raise the bar inadvancing understanding, knowledge, tools and techniques.

Students share in the spotlight as the next generation, many experienc-ing CIM for the first time through the student program, as a plus to allthe conference has to offer. This year’s social and guest programstransport you from culinary delights, to shows that thrill the eye, toevenings of entertainment, assuring great memories. Tours to uranium,oil sands, potash and coal operations round off the visit to the regionand Canada’s festival city.

Come for the knowledge and networking, establish new friends, live theexperience!

Tim Joseph and Bruce BernardGeneral Chairs

Plenary SessionMoving Beyond: Innovation for a Sustainable Future Canada has to maintain its position as a worldwide leader in miningoperations and technology. On May 5, a panel of industry leaders, ledby moderator Rex Murphy of CBC, will focus on what our industryneeds to accomplish, to ensure a sustainable future in the face of themore stringent regulations and social requirements that are beingdriven by environmental and energy concerns while mounting opera-tional costs challenge our viability on the world stage. Communities andaboriginal stakeholders are playing an ever-increasing role and as anindustry we must proactively respond to their needs.

Panellists confirmed to date include Don Lindsay, president and CEO,Teck Cominco; and Eric Nonacs, managing director – global affairs forEndeavour Financial, and senior advisory for the William J. ClintonFoundation (President Clinton’s Foundation).

All workshopswill be held on Saturday, May 3, at the

University of AlbertaCampus.

February 2008 | 83

The Nuclear Fuel CyclePresented by Cameco. Uranium’s transformation from ore in theground into nuclear fuel and, ultimately, the handling of spent fuel isknown as the nuclear fuel cycle. Despite its key role in providing cleanelectricity around the world, the uranium industry remains a mystery tomany in the general public and often even to people in the mining,milling and energy industries. This short course will consist of presen-tations on: introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle; exploration; mining;milling; refining and conversion; fuel fabrication; electricity generation;spent fuel handling; as well as a closing panel discussion and questionperiod.

Information: Chuck Edwards, principal metallurgist, CamecoCorporation (organizer); $350; Room 2-016; 9:00 to 17:00.

Aboriginal ConsultationThis workshop examines the successes, failures and lessons learned inimplementing impact and benefit agreements and fostering strong tieswith aboriginal communities. Case studies of two unique operations inCanada will be focused on, with representatives from both the compa-nies and aboriginal communities, developing a better understanding ofbest practices and lessons to learn from. From junior exploration com-panies through to major mining ventures, this is a key aspect in obtain-ing a social licence to operate.

Information: Presenter to be announced; $350; held in Room 2-003from 9:00 to 17:00.

NI 43-101 Disclosure Standards/Technical ReportTriggers/Civil Liability This course should be of interest to qualified persons and officers anddirectors of mining companies reporting in Canada. Topics include:• Setting the regulatory scene — Disclosure standards under secu-

rities law, stock exchange policy in Canada, and CIM DefinitionStandards and Best Practices.

• Technical report form and content — Review of technical reporttriggers and content requirements.

• Life cycle of a junior mining company — From startup of a juniorexploration company, to IPO prospectus, listing on stock exchange,raising capital, and advancing a mineral project, see the varioustriggers of technical reports.

• Civil liability regime under securities law in Canada — Exposureand defenses for mining companies.

• Failure of due diligence in mining prospectuses — Case studies ofwhat went wrong.

Information: Greg Gosson, former chief mining advisor for the BritishColumbia Securities Commission, now technical director of geologyand geostatistics, AMEC Mining and Metals Consulting Group, andDeborah McCombe, former chief mining consultant for the OntarioSecurities Commission, now executive vice president, Scott WilsonMining Group (presenters); $350; Room 2-003; 9:00 to 17:00.

Introduction to Environmental GeochemistryThis course will provide the geoscience practitioner with an introductionto the tools used to characterize groundwater systems and predict theirresponse to contaminants loading or remediation efforts. The material ispresented through examples of basic mineral– water–atmospheric gasinteractions and through case studies of contaminated sites, mine wastemanagement, CO2 sequestration and intensive livestock operations. Thecourse material is delivered through lectures and hands-on geochemi-cal modelling, designed to reinforce geochemical concepts and provideanalytical tools for the working professional.

Information: Rob Donahue, assistant professor and director, AppliedEnvironmental Geochemistry Research Facility, University of Alberta(presenter); $350; Room 2-127; 9:00 to 17:00.

Diamond Resource Data IntegrationThis short course will focus on interpretation and integration of geolog-ical, grade and revenue data for diamond projects. The importance offactual recording of all facets of the geological record will be empha-sized. The fundamental issues which need to be kept in mind when cre-ating a full three-dimensional model will be discussed in detail. Samplesupport issues and the purposes around the sampling will be covered,as will be the interpretation and application of the results to creating aresource model for a deposit. Areas to be covered will be: micro andmacro diamond grade sampling; diamond size distribution modelling;and diamond revenue modelling. Emphasis will be on practical applica-tion of methodologies and optimal use of information. Considerations ofrisk and its quantification will be discussed.

Information: David Farrow, Golder Associates (primary presenter);$350; 9:00 to 17:00; Room TBA.


Field Trips Coal TourVisit Highvale, the largest coal mining operation in Canada, withactive pits being mined by some of the largest dragline equipmentin the world. Coal operations, utilizing hybrid belly dump haulersand in-pit coal loading operations, feed the main coal-fired powergenerator for the Edmonton region. The mine, plant and reclama-tion operations constitute a showcase of environmentally bestpractices. The end goal is to return the entire site to its originalagricultural state.

Information: Seba Beach, Alberta; $100; 8:00 to 18:00; tour includesbus transportation and tour of mine site with lunch; bus departs andreturns to Westin Edmonton Hotel.

Oil Sands TourTour the Suncor facility in the heart of the Athabasca oil sands region,one of the world’s largest petroleum resources, containing nearly 175billion barrels of crude oil reserves. Suncor, the pioneer in commercialdevelopment of oil sands, currently produces 30 per cent of upgradedproduct from the oil sands industry. The Oil Sands Interpretive Centreoffers a glimpse into the history, development and the future of miningin the Athabasca basin region.

Information: Fort McMurray, Alberta; $650; 7:00 to 18:00; tourincludes bus to the airport, return flight, visit and lunch; bus departs forthe airport at the Westin Edmonton Hotel.

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Guest Program HighlightsM o n d a yFashion Show LuncheonEnjoy a scenic drive to the Edmonton Country Club. At the fashion show,two exceptional boutiques will highlight upcoming “must-haves” byCanadian designers and designers from around the world. The fashionsselected will be unique for every woman. Indulge in an upbeat, succu-lent lunch while chatting with your friends. This event supports theEdmonton Firefighters’ Burn Unit.Time: 10:30 to 14:00; shopping 14:00 to 15:30Price: $120

Greenland Tour and LunchCalling all gardeners, green thumbs and hobbyists at heart. Our first pri-ority is lunch at an upbeat, trendy restaurant. Journey with us to theGreenland Garden Centre. Here you will see a diverse selection of homeand garden decor, jewelry and fashion accessories, fantastic fresh flo-rals and a unique gift shop. Learn from the experts and have your manyquestions answered.Time: 10:45 to 15:15Price: $65

CIM Guest MenuGo online for more details:

www.cim.org/edmonton2008/conference/guestprogram.cfm

M o n d a yMakeup Lesson and BreakfastFashion Show and LuncheonGreenland Tour and Luncheon

Tu e s d a yBreakfast and Presentation by “Nature Nut” John Acorn

Culinary Bus ExcursionGallery Tour and Luncheon

W e d n e s d a yBreakfast and Health and Wellness Seminar

by Global Television’s Heidi BatesBoardroom Yoga Session

River Valley Walk and Luncheon

February 2008 | 85

Potash TourSee the surface operations at thePotashCorp Cory Division mine andthen descend 3,200 feet below sur-face. Once on the potash level, thetour will travel in Jeeps to the miningface and watch a bore miner mine a freshface. The underground mine temperature isan average 28 degrees Celsius, so dress comfortably.

Information: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; $750; 7:00 to 18:15; tourincludes bus to the airport, return flight, visit and lunch; bus departs forthe airport at the Westin Edmonton Hotel.

Uranium TourThe McArthur River U/G Mine and Key Lake Mill in the Athabasca basinare well worth visiting. Cameco’s McArthur River Mine is the world’slargest high-grade uranium mining operation and a showcase for inno-vative equipment and uranium mining processes such as non-entrymining and underground freezing. Focused on the community, the envi-ronment and sustainable management, the company is a world leaderin every respect.

Information: Northern Saskatchewan; $750; 7:00 to 18:45; tourincludes bus to the airport, return flight, visit and lunch; bus departs forthe airport at the Westin Edmonton Hotel.

All field tripswill be held on Thursday,

May 8

Photo credit: St. Alberta Gazette

W e d n e s d a y River Valley Walk and LuncheonWe will entertain and inform you on the latest in health, wellness andfitness. Come join us for breakfast and learn about diet, exercise andhealth trends, followed by a scenic walk through the River Valley. Workup an appetite for a terrific organic healthy lunch back at the ShawConference Centre.Time: 10:30 to 13:30Price: $35

T u e s d a y Progressive Culinary ExcursionJoin us on an expedition to a few of Edmonton’s finest restaurants, wherewe will be delighted with culinary secrets and experience some of thefinest fare offered! Board the bus and learn the secret preparation of var-ious courses. This will be followed by the pleasure of enjoying the farepaired with a beverage to complement each course.Time: 10:30 to 15:00Price: $120

Against the Grain: Japanese Woodblock Prints,University of Alberta Gallery Tour and LunchThis exclusive exhibition of historical and contemporary woodblockprints outlines the aesthetic, cultural and technical developments fromthe Edo period to the present. Enjoy a tour of the Mactaggart ChineseArt Collection consisting of works of art and textiles from a range ofcountries, time periods and traditions. The event will adjourn with adelicious lunch at the private Faculty Club.Time: 10:30 to 14:00Price: $50

Departure for all activitieswill be from the Guest Hospitality Suite,located in Salon 1 of the Shaw ConferenceCentre.


Social Program HighlightsS a t u r d a yWelcome Lobster Dinner and DanceGet into a party mood by indulging in a scrumptious lobster dinner withcomplimentary wine. It all happens at the Ukrainian Youth UnityComplex. Be entertained by the renowned Ukrainian DUNAI Dancers,then wind up the evening on the dance floor.

Information: 18:30 (cocktail) and 19:30 (dinner); $65; Ukrainian YouthUnity Complex.

S u n d a yOpening ReceptionThis must-attend event, sponsored by Komatsu, is the official confer-ence kickoff and a stellar opportunity to mingle and greet fellow confer-ence participants, while indulging in a buffet and enjoying a variety ofentertainment.

Information: 18:00 to 21:00; cost included with registration; CIMExhibition floor.

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CIM Ad February Edition 2008.pdf 29/01/2008 9:22:27 AM

CIM has yoursocial calendar covered!

Go online for more details:www.cim.org/edmonton2008/conference/socialprogram.cfm

S a t u r d a yWelcome LobsterDinner and Dance

S u n d a yCIM Coal and Oil Sands

ReceptionOpening Reception

M o n d a yLunch in the Exhibition

Cocktail in the ExhibitionStudent Pub CrawlCIM Awards Gala

Tu e s d a yLunch in the ExhibitionStudent-Industry Lunch

Women in Mining Reception

VIP ReceptionCocktail in the Exhibition

Dinner at the Union Bank InnP&H Reception

and Dance

W e d n e s d a yClosing Lunch

February 2008 | 87

M o n d a yCIM Awards GalaIndustry’s best are recognized at this extravagant evening hosted byCaterpillar Inc. and its Canadian Dealers. Exquisite dining and enter-tainment from well-known pop opera group Destino ensure this gala isa night to remember.

Information: 18:00 (reception) and 19:00 (dinner); $135; ShawConference Centre.

T u e s d a y Dinner at the Union Bank InnFeast on a gourmet dinner paired with carefully chosen wines andserved in the splendid Giverny Ballroom of the Union Bank Inn. Marvelat the ballroom’s modern renaissance ambiance, appointed withalabaster chandeliers, imposing fireplace and gracious décor.

Information: 18:00 to 20:00; $65; Union Bank Inn.

P&H Reception and DanceShake and shimmy the night away. Let loose and have a great time atthe shindig of the year, sponsored by P&H. Indulge in the lavish buffet andopen bar. Everybody will be there, so don’t miss this fabulous bash.

Information: 20:00 to midnight; cost included with registration; ShawConference Centre.

W e d n e s d a yCIM Closing LuncheonThis will be the last opportunity to touch base with old and new acquain-tances. Guest speaker Patrick Moore, founding member and former pres-ident of Greenpeace, is touted as “the sensible environmentalist.” Hebelieves one of our most serious environmental problems can be attributedto the ineffective communication between special interest groups and thebusiness community, and calls for issues to be discussed on the basis ofaccurate scientific data, a search for consensus and the creation of sus-tainable solutions.

Information: 12:00 to 14:00; $60; Shaw Conference Centre

Student ProgramWhat do you get when you cross a conference centre, potentialemployers and students? A whole lot of contacts! The studentprogram has been designed to expose students to as much ofindustry as possible, setting them on the path to prosperouscareers in the mining industry. In addition to the activities below,students also have free access to the CIM Exhibition, technicalprogram, Opening Reception and P&H Reception and Dance.

Career Fair — With the HR crisis looming, there is no better timeto hit up a roomful of potential employers looking to hire. Prepareyour resumes!

Student Poster Competition — Present to impress! This is youropportunity to shine; industry will be watching. Cash prizes will beawarded to the winners.

Student-Industry Luncheon — Another great opportunity to meetindustry leaders featuring a guest speaker.

Student Pub Crawl — The Pub Crawl starts at Hudson’s and vis-its several popular bars in Edmonton. This is a great opportunity tomeet other students from across the country. Being a student is notrequired – industry members welcome.

Financial assistance is available to students.Contact CIM for further details.

Bienvenue à Edmonton

Au nom de l’ICM, du comité organisateur, de nos partenaires etde nos commanditaires, bienvenue au Congrès et Salon com-mercial ICM 2008. C’est l’événement minier canadien parexcellence où nous applaudissons les réalisations et les suc-

cès, en honorant des membres de notre industrie lors du gala des prixtout en apprenant les meilleures pratiques de nos collègues dans lecadre des sessions plénières et du programme technique et en étab-lissant des contacts en compagnie d’amis.

En cette année où le Salon commercial de l’ICM fête son 25e anniver-saire et que la formation en génie fête son centenaire en Alberta, nouscontinuons à être les chefs de file d’une industrie prospère etdynamique à travers tout le Canada et autour du monde. La forte par-ticipation au congrès élèvera la barre dans l’avancement de la com-préhension, des connaissances, des outils et des techniques.

Les étudiants partagent la vedette en tant que prochaine génération –un véritable atout pour le congrès. Pour plusieurs, il s’agira d’unepremière expérience ICM dans le cadre du programme étudiant. Avecle grand nombre d’événements sociaux et de programmes des invités– de délices culinaires et spectacles époustouflants à des soirées dedivertissement – tout sera très mémorable. Des excursions à desexploitations d’uranium, de sables bitumineux, de potasse et decharbon complètent la visite de la région et de cette ville du Canadaqui sait bien fêter.

Venez pour les connaissances et le réseautage, rencontrez de nou-veaux amis, vivez l’expérience.

Tim Joseph et Bruce BernardPrésidents généraux

Séance plénièreViser plus haut : l’innovation pour un avenir durableLe Canada doit maintenir sa position de chef de file mondial enexploitation et en technologie minières. Le 5 mai, un panel de leadersindustriels, aminé par Rex Murphy de la CBC, se penchera sur ce quenotre industrie doit faire pour s’assurer d’un avenir durable devant lesréglementations et les critères sociaux sévères imposés par les préoc-cupations environnementales et énergétiques alors que les coûts d’ex-ploitation croissants mettent au défi notre viabilité sur la scène mondi-ale. Le rôle des communautés et des Autochtones s’accentue et nousdevons répondre proactivement à leurs besoins.

À ce jour, les panélistes ayant confirmé leur participation sont : DonLindsay, président et chef de la direction, Teck Cominco, et EricNonacs, directeur général – Affaires internationales, EndeavourFinancial et conseiller principal pour la William J. Clinton Foundation (lafondation du président Clinton).


AteliersSéminaire d’apprentissageSMARTApprendre les opérations et les systèmesd’intégration des meilleurs dans le domaineLe séminaire de formation SMART ciblera les meilleures pratiquespour la gestion du personnel et des systèmes. Ce séminaire d’unejournée comprendra quatre modules : les meilleures pratiques decompagnies en dehors de l’industrie minérale, la gestion des genset de l’entretien; l’intégration de la planification minière et de lagestion des actifs pour les unités commerciales dans l’industrieminérale; ces modules clôtureront avec des discussions impliquantle groupe de l’atelier et des panels sur les questions soulevéesdurant la journée. Ce sera votre chance de discuter de la manièrede traduire cette expérience en bénéfices pour votre exploitation.

Information : Tim Joseph, professeur associé, School of Miningand Petroleum Engineering, University of Alberta (présentateur),350 $, l’atelier aura lieu dans la salle 2-001 de 9h à 17h.

Exploitation minière 101Ce bref cours fournira une introduction non technique aux conceptsde base en : exploration minière, extraction du minerai, traitementdes minerais et gestion des résidus miniers. Des aspects clés d’é-conomie minière seront aussi inclus portant sur l’extraction et letraitement des minerais ainsi que quelques idées concernant l’ex-ploitation minière au 21e siècle. L’atelier réunit les conditions pre-scrites pour le programme de Certificat d’exploitation minière del’Université de la Colombie-Britannique (UBC Mining Certificate) etles participants auront accès à un cours en ligne EduMineMD gra-tuit. Sous-sections du cours : les gisements de minerai, les méth-

Les ateliersauront lieu

au campus deUniversity of Alberta

le samedi 3 mai

February 2008 | 89

odes d’exploitation, les méthodes de traitement des minerais, la dispo-sition des résidus, les mines et les finances et l’avenir des mines.

Information : Hooman Askari-Nasab, professeur adjoint, School of MiningEngineering, University of Alberta, et Scott Dunbar, professeur associé,Mining Engineering Department, University of British Columbia (présenta-teurs), 150 $, l’atelier aura lieu dans la salle 2-090 de 9h à 12h.

Le cycle du combustible nucléairePrésenté par Cameco. Le cycle du combustible nucléaire comprend latransformation de l’uranium de minerai en combustible nucléaire etfinalement la manutention du combustible épuisé. Malgré son rôle clé àfournir de l’électricité propre à travers le monde, l’industrie de l’uraniumdemeure un mystère pour le public en général et aussi pour bien desgens dans les industries minières, énergétiques et de transformationminérale. Le cours abrégé comprendra des présentations sur les sujetssuivants : une introduction au cycle du combustible nucléaire, l’explo-ration, l’extraction, le traitement, le raffinement et la conversion, la fab-rication du combustible, la génération d’électricité, la manutention ducombustible épuisé et un panel de clôture et période de questions.

Information : présenté par Cameco Corporation, 350 $, l’atelier auralieu dans la salle 2-016 de 9h à 17h.

Consultations avec les AutochtonesCet atelier examine les succès, les échecs et les leçons tirées de lamise en oeuvre d’ententes sur les impacts et les bénéfices ainsi quede la promotion du développement de forts liens avec les commu-nautés autochtones. Les études de cas de deux exploitations uniquesau Canada seront examinées, avec des représentants des compagnieset des communautés autochtones, dans le but de mieux comprendreles meilleures pratiques et d’en tirer des leçons. De compagnies jun-iors d’exploration jusqu’aux principales entreprises minières, il s’agit làd’un aspect clé pour l’obtention d’une licence sociale d’exploitation.

Information : présentateur à déterminer, 350 $, l’atelier aura lieu dansla salle 2-020 de 9 h à 17 h.

Normes de divulgation NI 43-101/ Déclencheurs de rap-ports techniques/ Responsabilité civile Ce cours devrait intéresser les personnes qualifiées, les officiers et lesdirecteurs de compagnies minières qui divulguent au Canada. Lessujets comprennent :• Cadre de la réglementation – Normes de divulgation selon les lois

régissant les valeurs mobilières, les politiques des marchés bour-siers au Canada et le document de l’ICM sur les Définitions desnormes et les meilleures pratiques.

• Formulaire de rapport technique et contenu – Révision desdéclencheurs de rapports techniques et exigences de contenu.

• Cycle de vie d’une petite société minière – Du démarrage d’unecompagnie junior d’exploration au prospectus du premier appelpublic à l’épargne (IPO), l’introduction à la cote, la mobilisation desfonds et l’avancement d’un projet minéral, voyez les diversdéclencheurs de rapports techniques.

• Responsabilité civile selon les lois régissant les valeurs mobilièresau Canada – risques et défenses pour les compagnies minières.

• Manque de diligence raisonnable dans les prospectus miniers –études de cas qui ont mal tourné

Information : Greg Gosson, ancien conseiller minier principal pour laBritish Columbia Securities Commission, actuellement directeur tech-nique de la géologie et de la géostatistique, AMEC Mining and MetalsConsulting Group, et Deborah McCombe, ancienne consultante minièreen chef pour la Commission des valeurs mobilières de l’Ontario,actuellement vice-présidente exécutive du Scott Wilson Mining Group(présentateurs), 350 $, l’atelier aura lieu dans la salle 2-003 de 9h à17h.

Introduction à la géochimie environnementaleCe cours initiera le géoscientifique aux outils servant à caractériser lessystèmes d’eau souterraine et prédire leur réponse aux charges decontaminants ou aux efforts de restauration. Le matériel est présentépar des exemples des interactions de base minéraux-eau-gaz atmo-sphériques et par des études de cas de sites contaminés, de gestiondes rejets miniers, de séquestration du CO2 et d’exploitation intensived’élevage. Le cours comprend de la modélisation géochimique pratiqueet des présentations magistrales conçues pour renforcer les conceptsgéochimiques et fournir des outils analytiques pour le professionnelœuvrant dans ce domaine.

Information : Rob Donahue, professeur adjoint et directeur, AppliedEnvironmental Geochemistry Research Facility, University of Alberta(présentateur), 350 $, l’atelier aura lieu dans la salle 2-127 de 9h à17h.

Intégration des données sur les ressources diamantifèresCe cours abrégé ciblera l’interprétation et l’intégration des donnéesgéologiques, de teneur et de révision pour les projets de diamants.L’importance de strictement rapporter toutes les facettes des don-nées géologiques de terrain sera soulignée. L’enjeu fondamental àgarder à l’esprit lors de la création d’un modèle à trois dimensionssera discuté en détails. Le soutien des échantillons et les fins del’échantillonnage seront abordés de même que l’interprétation etl’application des résultats pour créer un modèle de la ressource d’ungisement. Les sujets abordés comprendront : l’échantillonnage de lateneur en microdiamants et en macrodiamants, la modélisation de ladistribution granulométrique des diamants et la modélisation desrevenus provenant des diamants. L’emphase sera sur la mise enœuvre pratique des méthodologies et l’utilisation optimale de l’infor-mation. La considération et la quantification des risques seront aussiabordées.

Information : David Farrow, Golder et Associés (présentateur principal),350 $, l’atelier aura lieu de 9h à 17h, salle à confirmer.


Programme des invités L u n d i Déjeuner avec défilé de mode Joignez-vous à nous pour un tour panoramique vers le club privésEdmonton Country Club. Lors du défilé de mode, deux boutiquesexceptionnelles présenteront les tous derniers « indispensables vesti-mentaires » de designers canadiens et de designers internationaux.Les vêtements choisis seront uniques pour chaque femme. Permettez-vous un déjeuner délicieux tout en bavardant avec vos amies. Cetteactivité est au profit de l’Unité des grands brûlés des pompiersd’Edmonton.Heure : 10h30 à 14h; magasinage 14h à 15h30Coût : 120 $

Tournée de Greenland et déjeunerAppel à tous les jardiniers, les « pouces verts » et les amateurs de jar-dinage. Notre principale priorité consiste en un déjeuner dans unrestaurant divertissant et d’avant-garde. Venez avec nous auGreenland Garden Centre. Ici, vous verrez un grand choix de décora-tions pour la maison et le jardin, des bijoux et des accessoires demode, des arrangements floraux fantastiques et une boutique decadeaux uniques. Apprenez des experts; ils auront réponse à toutesvos questions.Heure : 10h45 à 15h15Coût : 65 $

M a r d i Excursion culinaire progressive Vos papilles gustatives seront gâtées, nous partons en expédition versquelques-uns des meilleurs restaurants d’Edmonton. Nous décou-vrirons des secrets culinaires et goûterons les meilleurs plats offerts!Montez à bord de l’autobus et découvrez la recette secrète de diversmets, le tout suivi d’une dégustation avec une consommation quiaccompagne chaque plat.Heure : 10h30 à 15hCoût : 120 $

Toucher du bois : estampes japonaises, tournée de lagalerie d’art de University of Alberta et déjeunerExposition exclusive d’estampes historiques et contemporaines; cetteexposition souligne les développements esthétiques, culturels et tech-niques de la période Edo à ce jour. Découvrez la collection d’art chinoisMactaggart. Cette collection élite comprend des œuvres d’art et destextiles de nombreux pays, époques et traditions. Cette activité se ter-minera par un délicieux déjeuner au club privé de la faculté.Heure : 10h30 à 14hCoût : 50 $

M e r c r e d i Marche sur le bord de la rivière et déjeunerNous vous divertirons et vous donnerons de l’information sur les plusrécentes tendances en santé, en bien-être et en mise en forme.Joignez-vous au groupe pour le déjeuner et découvrez les nouveautésau sujet des diètes, de l’exercice et de votre santé; le tout sera suivid’une marche dans un sentier panoramique le long de la rivière.Creusez-vous l’appétit pour un excellent repas santé organique à votreretour au centre de congrès Shaw.Heure : 10h30 à 13h30Coût : 35 $

La suite de réception pour les invités sera situé dans le salon 1 du ShawConference Centre. Le départ des activités se fera de la suite.

Menu des invités ICMVisitez le site Web pour plus de détails :

www.cim.org/edmonton2008/conference/fr/guestprogram.cfm

l u n d iLeçon de maquillage et petit déjeuner

Parade de mode et déjeunerTournée du Centre Jardin Greenland et déjeuner

m a r d iPetit déjeuner et présentation par l’entomologiste renommé

John Acorn, un « Nature Nut »Excursion culinaire en autobus

Tournée d’une galerie d’art et déjeuner

m e r c r e d iPetit déjeuner et présentation « Santé et bien-être » par Heidi

Bates, commentatrice au réseau Global TelevisionSession de yoga « assis en réunion »

Marche le long de la rivière et déjeuner

ExcursionsTournée du charbonVisitez Highvale, la plus grande minede charbon au Canada; elle exploite sesfosses par des pelles à benne traînanteparmi les plus grosses au monde. Le charbon,extrait par des remorques hybrides chargées dans la fosse, alimente lacentrale thermique pour la région d’Edmonton. La mine, l’usine et lesactivités de remise en état illustrent l’utilisation des meilleures pra-tiques environnementales. Le but est de remettre le site à son état orig-inal de terre agricole.

Information : Seba Beach, Alberta; 100 $; 8h à 18h; la tournée com-prend le voyage aller-retour en autocar de l’hôtel Westin, une tournéedu site minier et le déjeuner.

Tournée des sables bitumineuxL’installation Suncor, au cœur de la région des sables bitumineux del’Athabasca, contient l’une des plus grandes ressources mondialesde pétrole, avec près de 175 milliards de barils de réserves de pét-role brut. La compagnie, pionnière dans le développement commer-cial des sables bitumineux, produit actuellement 30 % des produitsà valeur ajoutée de l’industrie des sables bitumineux. Le Oil SandsInterpretive Centre présente l’histoire, le développement et l’avenirde l’exploitation.

Information : Fort McMurray, Alberta; $ 650; 7h à 18h; la tournéecomprend l’autocar pour l’aéroport à partir de l’hôtel Westin, le volaller-retour, la tournée et le déjeuner.

Tournée de la potasseVisitez les installations de surface de la mine Cory, puis descendez à 3 200 pieds pour visiter les installations souterraines. Une fois auniveau de la potasse, la tournée se fera en Jeep pour voir une machineà creuser au front de taille. La température sous terre est d’environ28ºC, habillez-vous en conséquence.

Information : Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; 750 $; 7h à 18h15; latournée comprend l’autocar pour l’aéroport à partir de l’hôtel Westin, levol aller-retour, la tournée et le déjeuner.

Tournée de l’uraniumLa mine souterraine McArthur River (Cameco) et l’usine de concentra-tion Key Lake valent certainement une visite. Elle est la plus grandemine au monde à teneur élevée d’uranium; elle opère aussi deséquipements innovateurs et utilise des techniques uniques d’exploita-tion sans entrée de mineurs et de congélation du sol. Très centrée surla communauté, l’environnement et le développement durable, lacompagnie est un chef de file mondial à bien des égards.

Information : Nord de la Saskatchewan; 750 $; 7h à 18h45; latournée comprend l’autocar pour l’aéroport à partir de l’hôtel Westin,le vol aller-retour, la tournée et le déjeuner.

Programme étudiantQu’arrive-t-il lorsque vous mettez ensemble un centre de congrès,des employés potentiels et des étudiants? Beaucoup de contacts!Ce programme est conçu pour que les étudiants rencontrent ungrand nombre d’industriels et soient sur la bonne voie pour des car-rières prospères dans l’industrie minière. En plus des activités men-tionnées ci-dessous, les étudiants peuvent participer au Salon com-mercial de l’ICM, la programme technique à la réception d’ouvertureet à la réception P&H.

Foire des carrières – Avec la crise imminente en ressourceshumaines, c’est le meilleur moment pour rencontrer une salle pleined’employeurs potentiels désireux de vous engager. Préparez vos CV.

Compétition d’affiches étudiantes – Voici l’occasion de vous fairevaloir. L’industrie sera là. Des prix en argent comptant serontaccordés aux gagnants.

Déjeuner étudiants-industrie (avec conférencier invité) – Une autreexcellente chance de rencontrer des chefs de file de l’industrie.

Tournée des pubs – La tournée débute au Hudson’s et se pour-suit dans plusieurs bars populaires d’Edmonton. Une excellenteoccasion de rencontrer d’autres étudiants provenant de partout aupays. Pas besoin d’être un étudiant pour y participer, tous sont lesbienvenus.

Les étudiants peuvent bénéficier d’une assistance financière.Contactez l’ICM pour de plus amples détails.

February 2008 | 91

To u t e s l e s e x c u r s i o n s a u r o n t l i e u

l e j e u d i 8 m a i


D i m a n c h eRéception d’ouvertureCommandité par Komatsu, cet incontournable rendez-vous constitue lelancement du congrès et l’occasion par excellence pour socialiser etsaluer ses confrères participant au congrès tout en profitant d’un buf-fet et de divers divertissements.

Information : 18h à 21h; coût inclus avec l’inscription; Salon commercial de l’ICM.

L u n d iGala des prix de l’ICMReconnaissance des chefs de file de notre industrie lors de cette soiréede gala commanditée par Caterpillar Inc. et ses détaillants canadiens.Un repas exquis et le spectacle du groupe opéra pop Destino rendrontcette soirée inoubliable.

Information : 18h (réception), 19h (dîner); 135 $; Shaw ConferenceCentre.

M a r d i Dîner au Union Bank InnRégalez-vous d’un repas gastronomique accompagné de vinssoigneusement sélectionnés dans la magnifique salle de balle renais-sance moderne Giverny du Union Bank Inn.

Information : 18h à 20h; 65 $; Union Bank Inn.

Réception P&HFaites la fête, laissez-vous aller et ayez du bon temps à la fiesta de l’an-née commanditée par P&H. Profitez du somptueux buffet et du barouvert. Tous y seront, ne manquez surtout pas cette soirée.

Information : 20h à minuit; coût inclus avec l’inscription; ShawConference Centre

M e r c r e d i Déjeuner de clôtureIl s’agit de la dernière occasion de fraterniser avec ses anciens et sesnouveaux amis. Le conférencier invité, le Dr Patrick Moore, membrefondateur et ancien président de Greenpeace, est perçu comme « l’en-vironnementaliste sensé ». Il croit que nos plus graves problèmes envi-ronnementaux découlent de communications inefficaces entre lesgroupes d’intérêts spéciaux et le milieu des affaires; il demande de dis-cuter des enjeux en s’appuyant sur des données scientifiques précises,d’atteindre un consensus et de créer des solutions durables.

Information : 12h à 14h; 60 $; Shaw Conference Centre

L’ICM s’occupe de vosactivitiés sociales !

Visitez le site Web pour plus de détails :www.cim.org/edmonton2008/conference/fr/socialprogram.cfm

s a m e d iDîner de bienvenue au homard et danse

d i m a n c h eRéception ICM – Société du charbon et des sables bitumineux

Réception d’ouverture

l u n d iDéjeuner de lundi dans l’enceinte du Salon commercial

Cocktail de lundi au Salon commercialTournée des pubs pour les étudiants

Gala des prix de l’ICM

m a r d iDéjeuner de mardi dans l’enceinte du Salon commercial

Déjeuner étudiants-industrieRéception – Les femmes en exploitation minière

Réception VIPCocktail du mardi au Salon commercial

Dîner au Union Bank InnRéception et danse P&H

m e r c r e d iDéjeuner de clôture

Programme socialS a m e d i Dîner de bienvenue au homard et dansePrésentez-vous au Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex en mode « party »et dégustez un délicieux dîner au homard avec vin gratuit. Laissez-vousdivertir par les célèbres « Ukrainian DUNAI Dancers » et c’est ensuiteà votre tour sur la piste de danse.

Information : 18h30 (cocktail) et 19h30 (dîner); 65 $; UkrainianYouth Unity Complex.

Technical Program This year’s technical program follows fivefocused streams — Human resources: manag-ing the greatest resource of all; Prospects for astrong future; Operations excellence; The toolsto build on; and Process improvement — whichtogether represent the whole of industry.Looking for new ideas, new technologies orsimply to keep abreast of industry develop-ments? Participating in the technical program isessential for all conference delegates.Presentations will be carried out in English only.

ProgrammetechniqueCette année, le programme technique com-porte cinq grands volets – les ressourceshumaines, gérer la plus importante de toutesles ressources; les perspectives pour un avenirprometteur; l’excellence opérationnelle; lesoutils de base et l’amélioration des procédés –ces volets touchent à l’ensemble de l’industrie.Que vous cherchiez de nouvelles idées, de nou-velles technologies ou que vous vouliez simple-ment connaître les plus récents développe-ments de l’industrie, il est essentiel et dansvotre intérêt de participer au programme tech-nique. Les présentations se déroulerontuniquement en anglais.

Wednesday

Tuesday

Monday

Human Resources: Prospects for a Operations The Tools Process Managing the Greatest Strong Future Excellence to Build on Improvement

Resource of All

Health and Safety Community Engagement New Developments Towards Zero Improving Onsite in Oil Sands Emissions Reliability

Human Resources 1 Geology of Diamonds Uranium: Great Power Next Generation Rock Engineering in in Canada in Saskatchewan Technology Mining Practice 1

Human Resources 2 Exploration: Innovation New Operations Creating New Practices in Rock Engineering in and Excellence 1 Wealth in BC Environmental Management Mining Practice 2

Strange Bedfellows, Exploration: Innovation New Projects Realizing Savings Through SMART-led Unusual Partnerships and Excellence 2 in Potash Energy Management Forum

The Student-Industry Effective Risk World-class Products Innovation Forum 1Partnership Management for Metal Mining and Solutions 1

Mining Projects

First Nations The Economic Case for The Global Products Innovation Forum 2and Mining Sustainable Development: Coal Industry and Solutions 2

Recent Examples

Schedule

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am1

am2

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Canadian Mining Innovation Council Transition board meeting to coincide with CIM Conference and ExhibitionThe Canadian Mining Innovation Council will be holding workshops across the country inMarch and April to consult with a broad cross-section of mining research stakeholders intothe key issues needing to be addressed in order to develop a Pan-Canadian Mining Researchand Innovation Strategy. These workshops will set the foundation for the CMIC Board strate-gic planning meeting, to be held at the CIM Conference and Exhibition in Edmonton.

Among the questions to be answered are ideas regarding a future collaborative researchstructure, where Canada is a leader today, and where a Canadian advantage could besecured over the next decade.

In Edmonton, the Transition Board will review the outcomes of the regional workshops andthe draft strategy. Board members will focus on the purpose and approach of the strategy, aswell as how to report on progress, to ensure leaders can assess the success of the strategicapproach and the expected outcomes.

For more information contact Michel Plouffe at [email protected]

La rencontre du Conseil de transition coïncidera avec le Congrès et Salon commercial de l’ICMEn mars et avril prochains, le Conseil canadien de l’innovation minière tiendra des ateliers detravail dans l’ensemble du pays afin de discuter avec de nombreux intervenants en rechercheminière des questions clés qui doivent être traitées dans le cadre de l’élaboration d’unestratégie pancanadienne sur la recherche et l’innovation dans le domaine minier. Ces ateliersétabliront les bases d’une réunion de planification stratégique du CCIM qui sera tenue lorsdu Congrès et Salon commercial ICM, à Edmonton.

On discutera, entre autres, des suggestions et idées concernant une future structure derecherche collaborative, un domaine dans lequel le Canada est déjà un chef de file et pourlequel l’avantage canadien pourrait être consolidé au cours de la prochaine décennie.

À Edmonton, le Conseil de transition examinera les résultats des ateliers régionaux et la stratégiepréliminaire. Les membres du Conseil se concentreront sur le but et l’approche de la stratégieainsi que sur la manière de faire rapport sur l’état des travaux afin de s’assurer que les chefs defile pourront évaluer la réussite de l’approche stratégique et les résultats escomptés.

Pour de plus amples renseignements, contactez Michel Plouffe à [email protected]


MONDAY PMHuman Resources: Managing the Greatest Resource of AllHealth and SafetyGord Winkel, oil sands technology manager, Kearl Oil Sands Project,Imperial Oil Resources, and Doug McCutcheon, director and industrialprofessor – engineering, safety and risk management program,Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta

Kimberley fatalities incident — technical investigations and findingsW. Kuit, Teck Cominco LimitedRecognition programs are a cornerstone of safety performance successP. McBride, Ontario Mining AssociationProcess safety management in the mining industryE. Alp, Alp & Associates IncorportedSafety lessons learned during diamond mine constructionD.L. Putnam, De Beers Canada Inc.Health and safety in mineral exploration — the role of theProspectors and Developers AssociationB. Mercer, Avalon Ventures Ltd., C. Mitchell and I. Paterson

Prospects for a Strong FutureCommunity EngagementLee Nichols, president, Terracon Group (Geotechnique)Learn the most progressive practices through case studies andexpertise on building community relationships.

The Canadian mining industry — conveying a positive and accurate messageP. Stothart, Mining Association of Canada

Operations ExcellenceNew Developments in Oil SandsKen Chekerda, senior mining technologist,Syncrude Canada Ltd., and Howard Lutley,vice president mining and extraction, UTSEnergy Corporation

Kearl Oil Sands Project overviewG. Winkel, Kearl Oil Sands Project, Imperial OilResourcesGreat dirt, great people: Petro-Canada’sintegrated approach to oil sands develop-mentN. CamartaUpdate on Horizon projectP. Keele, Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

The Tools to Build onTowards Zero EmissionsTony Smith, project manager, Colt EngineeringCorporation

Effective energy management in Canadianmines — examininghalf a decade of evolving practicesJ.V. Feldman, Hatch Energy

Creating a long-term source of clean base load powerD.A. Lewin, EPCORElectric furnace off-gas cleaning systems installation at PT IncoM. Russell, WorleyParsons Gas CleaningReducing greenhouse gas emissions in the BC mining industryG.C. Dirom, Mining Association of British Columbia, and S. O’Kane,Levelton ConsultantsNear zero emission thermal generation projects — carbon captureand sequestrationM. Delallo, WorleyParsons Group

Process ImprovementImproving Onsite ReliabilitySteve Little, manager, reliability engineering – mining, Suncor Energy

Canada’s MMP (Maintenance Management Professional)Certification ProgramN. Clegg, Plant Engineering and Maintenance Association of Canada(PEMAC)Performance monitoring and diagnostics for large mobile mining equipmentD.M. Fisk, Matrikon Inc.The practical implementation of a wireless TPMS on minesitesC. Brothen, Kal TireDragline gearbox filtration — the proven solutionB.M. Crook, Pall Corporation

February 2008 | 95

TUESDAY AM 1Human Resources: Managing the Greatest Resource of AllHuman Resources 1Paul Hébert, executive director, Federated School of Mines

An integrated approach to earth sciences educationJ. MyersThe Federated School of MinesP. Hébert, Federated School of Mines

Prospects for a Strong FutureGeology of Diamonds in CanadaThomas Stachel, professor and Canada Research Chair in Diamonds,Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta

Geological investigations within the northern Alberta kimberliteprovinceR. Eccles, Alberta Geological SurveyGeology of the Aviat kimberlites, Melville Peninsula, Nunavut,CanadaJ. Armstrong, Stornoway Diamond CorporationContrasting kimberlite types and dispersion trains at the Churchilldiamond project, Kivalliq region, NunavutP. Strand, Shear Minerals Ltd., A. Banas, Apex Geoscience Ltd., and J.Burgess, Burgess DiamondsThe Renard kimberlites, Otish Mountains Quebec: a developmenttrack project, Stornoway Diamond CorporationE. Thomas, Stornoway Diamond Corporation

Operations ExcellenceUranium: Great Power in SaskatchewanChuck Edwards, director, engineering and projects, CamecoCorporation

Millennium deposit: the emergence of a new Saskatchewan uranium mineT. Smith, Cameco CorporationLessons learned from the Cigar Lake project and McArthur Rivermine inflowsJ.F. Hatley, Cameco CorporationMidwest project 30 years in the makingL. Rowson, Areva Resources Canada Inc.Strategic initiatives for Cameco’s northern Saskatchewan operationsD. Neuburger, Cameco Corporation

The Tools to Build onNext Generation TechnologyTim Skinner, general manger, information systems, Elk Valley Coal

Mining industry leverage of emerging robotic technologies via the open SAE robotics standardM. Torrie, Autonomous SolutionsEmbedded wireless systems for next generation miningT. Lee, SST WirelessRobotics and automation for oil sands bitumen production and maintenanceM. Lipsett, University of Alberta

Process ImprovementRock Engineering in Mining Practice 1Luc Beauchamp, ground specialist, Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association

Evolving rock mechanics designD. Milne, University of SaskatchewanMicrowave assisted mechanical breakage of rocks for mining applicationsJ. Ouellet, F. Hassani and P. Radziszewski, McGill UniversityShear strength assessment of a footwall slab using photogrammetry and finite element modellingN. Bahrani and D.D. Tannant, University of AlbertaInfluence of fibre type and dosage on post-peak shotcrete performanceK. Tarr, I. Bedard, C. Doucet and D. Fynn, NRCan, CANMET-MMSL

TUESDAY AM 2Human Resources: Managing the Greatest Resource of AllHuman Resources 2Paul Hébert, executive director, Federated School of Mines

Current human resource issues and the 50-plus demographicB. JaworskiBest practices in attracting, recruiting and retaining tomorrow’sworkforceR. Montpellier, MiHRReady or not, here they come — towards workplace diversitS. Hammond

Prospects for a Strong FutureExploration: Innovation and Excellence 1Tom Lane, director, research development, CAMIRO – Exploration Division

Innovations in laboratory technology and geochemical explorationtechniquesE.L. Hoffman, Activation Laboratories LtdThe Turnagain nickel project: nickel sulphide mineralization andanalytical techniquesJ.E. Scheel, Hard Creek Nickel Corp., and S.D. Long, AMEC Mining and MetalsDirect dating of sulfide mineralization by 187Re-187Os geochronol-ogy — recent advancements, discoveries and limitationsR. Creaser, University of Alberta, Department of Earth & AtmosphericSciencesArc metallogeny: regional and global perspectivesJ.P. Richards, University of Alberta

Operations ExcellenceNew Operations Creating Wealth in BCMike McPhie, president and CEO, Mining Association of BC

The Prosperity projectR. Hallbauer, Taseko Mines LtdThe Red Chris projectB. Kynoch, Imperial Metals Corp.TBAM. Jarvis, Hard Creek Nickel Corporation

An overview of new projects in BC and their value and timingG. Dirom, Mining Association of BC

The Tools to Build onNew Practices in Environmental ManagementElizabeth Gardiner, vice president, technical affairs, The MiningAssociation of Canada

Wetlands treatment of mine drainage at Antamina mineH. Plewes, H. Mcleod, Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd., M. McBrien, LouisBerger Group Inc., and H. Letient, Teck Cominco Ltd.Water storage for oil-sands water needsB. Berzins, B. Irvine and M. Himmelspach, Fossil Water CorporationClimate change: framing the challenge; strategic approaches for the mining industryH. Stoch and J. Ross, DeloitteGood international industry practices for environment, health andsafety — updated IFC/World Bank guidelines for the mining industryK. Clarke-Whistler, M. Rankin and B. Griffin, Golder Associates Ltd.

Process ImprovementRock Engineering in Mining Practice 2Luc Beauchamp, ground specialist, Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association

Evaluation of sample geometry (scale effects) on mine backfill propertiesK. Tarr, I. Bedard, C. Doucet and D. Fynn, NRCan, CANMET-MMSLA field instrumentation study in cemented paste backfillB. Thompson, W. Bawden and M. Grabinsky, University of TorontoTesting of a fill fence to determine performance under loadingP. Hughes, C. Caceres, University of British Columbia, R. Wilkins,Goldcorp, and R. Pakalnis, University of British Columbia

Frozen backfill for open stoping in permafrostD. Cluff, J. Gallagher, Laurentian University, A. Jalbout, Vale Inco Limited,V. Kazakidis, Laurentian University, and G. Swan, Xstrata


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TUESDAY PMHuman Resources: Managing the Greatest Resource of AllStrange Bedfellows, Unusual PartnershipsRick Hutson, senior consultant, C.J. Stafford & Associates

The Equator Principles and beyond: meeting the new IFC guidelinesin mine design and financingT. Bekhuys and B. Ramsay, AMECCorporate rationales for negotiating impact and benefit agreementsD. Lapierre and B. Bradshaw, University of GuelphA framework for firm/NGO collaborationL. Falkenberg, University of Calgary, S. Ferner, WorleyParsons Komex, andJ. Peloza, Simon Fraser UniversityWhere have all the people gone? Innovative trends and solutions fora shrinking mining workforceR. McCarthy, Snowden Mining Industry ConsultantsRe-framing sustainability as strategic business opportunityR. Abbott, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Prospects for a Strong FutureExploration: Innovation and Excellence 2Tom Lane, director, research development, CAMIRO – ExplorationDivision

Recent advances in borehole logging: examples from seismic studies and borehole imagingD.R. Schmitt, University of AlbertaIntroducing a borehole gravity metre for mining and geotechnicalapplicationsC. Nind and H.O. Seigel, Scintrex Ltd

Applications of imaging spectroscopy to the characterization of rock and oil sand coreD. Rogge, University of Alberta, and B. Rivard, Department of Earth andAtmospheric Sciences, University of AlbertaThree dimensional inversion of transient magnetotelluric dataD.K. GoldakImprovements to grassroots and minesite exploration using Titan24: overview and applications of Titan 24 deep imaging technologyG.M. Hollyer, J. Legault and R.L. Gordon, Quantec Geoscience

Operations ExcellenceNew Projects in PotashRobert Carey, president and CEO, RJC Industrial Design Ltd., and EarlGerhardt, consulting mining engineer, Mineberg Consulting Corp.

Exploring Saskatchewan’s vast potash resourceD. Mackintosh, ADM Consulting LimitedA greenfield potash development in SaskatchewanP. Zhou, Athabasca Potash Inc.Picadilly: a potash mega project on Canada’s east coastB. Roulston, PCS Potash-New Brunswick Division, J. Appleyard,T. Danyluk, B. Nemeth and A. Prugger, PCS Potash-Technical Services

The Tools to Build onRealizing Savings through Energy ManagementMichael Burke, director, industrial programs division, Office of EnergyEfficiency, Natural Resources Canada

Realizing energy savings at Vale Inco LimitedA. Lemay, Vale Inco LimitedUnique challenges yet interesting potential — reducing energy consumption at an African gold mineJ.V. Feldman, Hatch EnergyLeveraging investments for energy savingsA. TonnosEnergy savings through focused process monitoringA. Caswell, Syncrude Canada LimitedSaving energy during mine construction in the NWTD. Putnam

Process ImprovementSMART-led ForumGord Winkel, oil sands technology manager, Kearl Oil Sands Project,Imperial Oil Resources

One industry voice — computing technology standards for surfaceminingT. Skinner, Smart Systems GroupTruck Shovel Users GroupJ. Thomas, Syncrude Canada Ltd.Large tire users groupP. Graham, Suncor Energy Inc.The Canadian Mining Innovation CouncilJ. Baird, Canadian Association of Mining Equipment & Services for Export,S. Lucas, Minerals and Metals Sector, Natural Resources Canada, F.Hassani, McGill University, and G. Peeling, The Mining Association ofCanada


WEDNESDAY AM 1Human Resources: Managing the Greatest Resource of AllThe Student-Industry PartnershipDebbie Martin, manager, talent attraction and development, TeckCominco

Making it happen at De Beers Canada: finding and growing our talent!I. Hann, De Beers Canada IncLinking a mining school with industryM. Scoble, University of British ColumbiaStudent-industry partnershipM. Fuller, University of British Columbia

Prospects for a Strong FutureEffective Risk Management for Mining ProjectsJoseph Ringwald, vice president technical services, Tournigan Gold Corp.

Managing social risks associated with mining projectsM. Hitch, University of British ColumbiaIdentifying and managing risks posed by advances in technologyD. van Zyl, University of British ColumbiaSocial risk managementM. Williams, Canadian Business for Social ResponsibilityTBAC. Jones

Operations ExcellenceWorld-class Metal MiningBest practices from around the world that can be applied at youroperations.

The Tools to Build onProducts and Solutions 1Jean-Marc Demers, senior director, business management andstrategic development, CIM

Innovative dragline monitoring systems and technologiesJ.F. Vynne, Thunderbird Mining Systems

Modelling tools for development of tailings management plansM. Musse, M. Barrientos, M. Silva, Golder Associates S.A.,and T. Eldridge, Golder Associates Ltd.Using dynamic railcar weighing for loadout operationsF.D. Klebe, Mettler Toledo, Inc.Production simulation overview and case study: Coleman 170 orebodyP. Labrecque, Hatch, and S. Hopkins, Vale Inco Limited

Process ImprovementInnovation Forum 1Mike Lipsett, professor, University of Alberta

How intelligent information and communications technologies aretransforming modern miningG. Thomas, Precarn Inc.Transforming airline industry maintenance practices using information technologyM. Halasz, Institute for Information Technology, National Research Councilof CanadaData visualization technologies and their application to mining andmining operationsT. Mayer, Panoram Technologies, Inc.

WEDNESDAY AM 2Human Resources: Managing the Greatest Resource of AllFirst Nations and MiningBarrie Robb, vice president – business development, MackenzieAboriginal Corporation (MAC)A forum to discuss how to best build a partnership between local FirstNations communities and mining companies, including input fromboth the provincial and federal governments, and representatives ofboth industry and aboriginal communities.

Developing relationships: a First Nation perspectiveJ. Boucher, McKay First NationIncreasing aboriginal participationA. Popko, EnCana Corporation

Career FairTake advantage of this opportunity to network, build yourcontact list and share with colleagues who are facing thesame challenges as you. Be seen! Don’t forget yourresume. This could be the beginning of a new life.

Salon de l’emploiProfitez-en pour faire du réseautage et partager avecdes pairs qui vivent les mêmes défis que vous. Faites-vous connaître et n’oubliez pas d’apporter votre curricu-lum vitae. Vous pourriez changer votre avenir.

Breakwater Resources LtdCameco CorporationColt Engineering,WorleyParsons

& CoSyn TechnologyDe Beers Canada Inc.

Downing Teal AlbertElk Valley Coal CorporationHire Ground CareerKinross GoldLedcor Group

Northgate MineralsCorporation -

Kemess MinesRio Tinto: QIT, IOC, QMP,

DiavikShell Canada

SNC-Lavalin Inc.Suncor Energy Inc.Syncrude Canada Ltd.Teck Cominco LimitedVale Inco LimitedXstrata Nickel

Exhibitors / Exposants

Mining in SocietyCIM has joined forces with the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) in order to meet the humanresources challenges for professional and technical employees.

Bring family, friends and neighbours to discover the world in which you work day after day. Show them that the min-ing industry is part of their everyday life. Are you an expert in geology? See how colleagues in other fields of theminerals industry face the same modern challenges as you. Are you new to this industry? Seize the chance to learnthe various aspects of a dynamic and innovative industry.

CIM is working hard to increase the visibility of the mining industry and to enhance its reputation. Take this oppor-tunity to see what is going on elsewhere in the industry and to create or renew those all-important contacts.

The Mining in Society show is a hands-on event, designed in pavilions — Exploration, Extraction, Processing,Sustainable Development, Education, Products and Transformation — offering visitors a comprehensive overviewof the mining industry. In each pavilion, visitors will see live and interactive demonstrations, andalso be asked to participate in the Amazing Mine Challenge to discover the various aspects ofthe mining industry in a dynamic manner. Prizes are up for grabs. So bring your businesscards!

Les mines dans la sociétéL’ICM, en association avec le Conseil des ressources humaines de l’industrie minière (RHiM),joignent leurs compétences respectives afin de planifier la relève professionnelle et technique.

Invitez famille, amis, relations à découvrir le domaine dans lequel vous travaillez jour après jour. Montrez-leurque l’industrie minière fait partie de leur vie de tous les jours. Vous êtes un expert en géologie? Voyez comment vos col-lègues dans d’autres industries connexes relèvent comme vous les défis d’aujourd’hui. Vous êtes un néophyte de l’indus-trie? Profitez de l’occasion pour vous familiariser avec les divers aspects d’une industrie dynamique et innovatrice.

L’ICM travaille fort pour accroître la visibilité et améliorer la réputation de l’industrie minière. Profitez de cette occa-sion pour voir ce qui se passe ailleurs dans l’Industrie et pour créer ou ranimer des contacts toujours utiles.

Le salon Les mines dans la société adopte une présentation proactive sous forme de pavillons — Exploration, Extraction,Traitement, Développement Durable, Éducation, Produits et Transformation — qui offrent aux visiteurs une vue d’ensem-ble de l’industrie minière. Dans chaque section, le visiteur a droit à des démonstrations en direct et interactives. Les visi-teurs sont également invités à participer à l’Excitant défi minier qui leur fera découvrir les différentes facettes de l’in-dustrie de façon dynamique tout en s’amusant. De beaux prix récompenseront les efforts des participants.

New dates Friday May, 2 to Sunday, May 4

De nouvellesdates

Le vendredi 2 mai audimanche 4 mai

Exhibi

tors /

Expos

ants

Mining in Society /Les mines dans la sociétéExhibitors / ExposantsAtlas CopcoEdmonton TumblewoodLapidary Club (ETLC)Golder AssociatesInternational Year of PlanetEarth (IYPE)Instrumentation GDD Mining Association ofCanada (MAC)PDAC Mining MattersNatural Resources Canada(NRCan)Prairies MinesDepartment of Earth & AtmosphericSciences,University of AlbertaVale Inco LimitedWomen in Scholarship,Engineering, Science andTechnology (WISEST),University of Alberta

Interested in participating?contact [email protected]

Intéressé à participer ?contactez [email protected]

February 2008 | 99

CIM ExhibitionThis year, CIM Exhibition is celebrating its silver anniver-sary and over 200 companies will be showcasingthe latest products, technologies and equipment.Whether you’re looking to improve your bottomline, increase your fleet’s efficiency or rustle upsome business, the exhibition is the place to be.Also join suppliers, contractors, consultants andcolleagues on the exhibition floor for lunch andafternoon cocktails, and take full advantage of every-thing CIM Exhibition has to offer.

Salon commercial de l’ICMLe Salon commercial de l’ICM fête cette année son 25e anniver-

saire et plus de 200 compagnies présenteront les dernièresnouveautés dans les produits, les technologies et leséquipements. Que vous cherchiez à améliorer vos bénéficesnets, accroître l’efficacité de vos véhicules ou conclure desaffaires, le salon commercial est l’endroit tout désigné.Joignez-vous aux fournisseurs, aux entrepreneurs, aux con-

sultants et à vos collègues dans l’enceinte du salon pour lesdéjeuners et les cocktails en après-midi; profitez pleinement de

tout ce que le Salon commercial de l’ICM peut offrir.

Exhibitors List / Les exposants

3M Canada Company 200

48e Nord International 522

ABB Inc. 331

ABC Canada Technology Group Ltd. 804

Abresist Corporation 826

ABS Canada 1128

AddOns2Beltek 1103

AFI International Group 1121

Alberta Research Council 15

Allied Construction Products, LLC 823

Allied Steel Buildings 307

Amandla Pumps 511

AMEC 708

Atlantic Industries Limited 706

Atlas Copco Construction and 0104, BNS1Mining Canada

BASF Construction Chemicals 324

Boart Longyear Canada 406

Breaker Technology Ltd. 1115

Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. 707

Brospec (2001) LP 514

Butler Manufacturing Company 1005

Canadian Association of Mining 407Equipment & Services for Export

Canadian Dewatering Ltd. 1029

Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ) 306

Canadian OnSite Medical Inc. 1221

Carlson Software 301

Cattron-Theimeg Canada Ltd. 415

Cavotec Canada Inc. 1000

Centre for Excellence in 605Mining Innovation (CEMI)

Claessen Pumps Limited 1020

Clifton Associates Ltd. 928

COGEP/Monclic 515

Continental Conveyor Ltd. 606

Cubex Limited 609

Cummins Western Canada 819

Datamine Canada Inc. 209

DFC Mining (Pty) Ltd. 505

DSI Mining Products 215

Duratray North America 930

Dynatec Mining Services Division 601

Dyno Nobel Canada Inc. 115

EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. 603

Emeco Canada 704

Endress+Hauser 1027

Engineering Seismology Group 610Canada Inc. (ESG)

Explosives Limited 925

F & W Engineering Services 509

Fabreeka International, Inc. 626

Fenner Dunlop Conveyor Belting Americas 5

Fibretek (Pty) Ltd. 502

Finning (Canada) 315

Flip Productions Ltd. L02

FLSmidth Dorr-Oliver Eimco 1009

FLSmidth Minerals 1015

FMC Technologies 619

G Plus Industrial Plastics Inc. 529

Gartner Lee Limited 1202

Gemcom Software International Inc. 800

General Cable 1222

Genivar S.E.C. 530

GijimaAst Americas Inc. 618

Global Mining Support Group (Pty) Ltd. 506

Golder Associates Ltd. 908

GroundTech Solutions 1208

Groupe Canam inc. 526

Hägglunds Drives (Canada) Inc. 1023

Hatch 723

Hedweld Engineering Pty Ltd. 225

Hella, Inc. 204

Hepburn Engineering Inc. 701

HLS HARD-LINE Solutions Inc. 705

Horne 501

HPD 727

HyPOWER Systems 1217

I’Anco Products Ltd. 628

ICWCUCA 519

Imperial Oil Ltd. 309

Independent Mining Consultants Inc. 921

Indotech Inc. 1220

Instrumentation GDD Inc. 520

ITT Flygt 822

J. Lanfranco 518

Company/Compagnie Booth/Stand Company/Compagnie Booth/Stand Company/Compagnie Booth/Stand


Jacques Whitford Limited 1219

Jebco Industries 205

John Meunier Inc. 725

Johnson Screens 1123(A Weatherford Company)

JohnsonDiversey - 423DuBois Industrial Group

Kal Tire 815

Kenwood Electronics Canada Inc. 831

Komatsu International (Canada) 715

Krupp Canada Inc. 1120

Larox Inc. 703

Ledcor Group 602

Leica Geosystems Inc. 401

Les Systèmes Semco Limitée 528

Levert Personnel Resources Inc. 1108

Liberty International Mineral Corp. 421

Liebherr-Canada Ltd. 830

Luff Industries Ltd. 923

MacLean Engineering & Marketing 700Co. Limited

Manyan Inc 630

Marcel Baril Ltée 527

Marine and Mineral Projects (Pty) Ltd 503

Marine Container Service 328

Matrikon Inc. 1

Mécanicad 517

MegaDome - Les Industries Harnois Inc. 523

Meridian Specialties Inc. 1109

Mettler Toledo, Inc. 1007

Michelin North America Inc. 321

Micromine North America 904

MiHR Mining Industry 102Human Resources Council

Mincom 1101

Mincon Mining Equipment 120

Mine Cable Services Corp 1026

Mine Design Technologies 608

Mine Site Technologies 801

Mining Technologies International Inc. 308

Montali Inc. 531

Moventas Ltd. 201

MTU Detroit Diesel 915

Mullen Trucking LP 620

Multotec Process Equipment 508

MWG Apparel Corp 1209

National Railway Equipment Company 614

Natural Resources Canada - 109CANMET-MMSL and MTB

North American Construction Group 918

North Fringe Resources Inc. 1223

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology - 827Geological Technology Program

NTN Bearing Corporation of Canada Ltd. 305

Orica Canada, Inc. 909

OSIsoft 211

Outotec (Canada) Ltd. 0114, BNS2

P&H MinePro Services Canada Ltd. 631

Pall Corporation 1215

Peter Kiewit Sons Co. 103

Petro-Canada Lubricants 718

Pipeline Systems Incorporated 607

Placer Gold Design L01

Polar Mobility Research Ltd. 409

Polycorp Ltd. 624

Pompaction Inc. 805

Precision Bolting Ltd 3

Precision Giant Systems Inc. 327

Procon Mining and Tunnelling 419

ProMinent Fluid Controls 731

Queen’s University, 405Mining Engineering Dept.

R.D.H. Mining Equipment 330

Rand Instruments Africa (Pty) Ltd. 504

Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. 1211

Rexnord Canada LP 1028

Richwood 430

RNP - Refacciones Neumaticas 1106La Paz S. A. de C.V.

Robco Inc. 829

Rock-Tech Sales & Services Ltd. 1117

Rockmate Technical Services Limited 905

RPA Process Technologies 1004

Runge Mining (Canada) Pty Ltd. 101

Safdy Systems CC 507

Schlumberger Water Services 404

Scott Construction Group/AECON 1001

Seprotech Systems Inc. 304

Simson Maxwell 229

SM-Cyclo Canada 922

SME - Society for Mining, Metallurgy 616& Exploration

SNC-Lavalin Inc. 1105

South African Consulate 500

Stornoway Diamonds Corp. 428

Strata Safety Products 931

Strongco Engineered Systems 326

Takraf Canada Inc. 1213

Technosub 429

Temisko 525

Terex Mining 615

Terra Vision 516

Terracon Geotechnique Ltd. 1200

The Northern Miner 100

Thermo Fisher Scientific 1021

Thiessen Equipment Ltd./Thiessen Team 1214

Thomas Engineering Ltd./MDL 900

Thompson Tech 1216

Thunderbird Mining Systems 403

Tomcar Canada 1207

Tracks & Wheels Equipment Brokers Inc. 221

Transwest Mining Systems 901

Trimay Wear Plates Ltd. 1124

Triple D Bending 426

Victaulic 600

Voith Turbo Inc. 400

W.S. Tyler Canada 1100

Wajax Industries 121

Washington Group International, Inc. 809

WBM Canada Consulting Engineers Inc. 926

Welco Expediting Ltd. 1022

WesTech Engineering Inc. 825

Western Protection Alliance Inc. 425

Wilson Mining Products 521

WorleyParsons 1204

Company/Compagnie Booth/Stand Company/Compagnie Booth/Stand Company/Compagnie Booth/Stand

February 2008 | 101

Grass Valley CampPlacer gold was discovered in 1848 at Grass Valley, near the headwaters of the

South Yuba River, shortly after the first settlers were attracted by the abundantgrass, water and timber. The discovery of gold-bearing quartz veins in 1850 onGold Hill by George McKnight, followed by discoveries on Ophir, Rich andMassachusetts hills, marked the start of the longest lived and most profitablecamp in California. Halstead and Wright brought the first milling equipmentfrom Mexico in 1851. The camp produced close to 300,000 kilograms (10 mil-lion ounces) of gold from roughly 20 square kilometres and operated continu-ously from 1850 to 1956, except for a brief shutdown during World War Two.The towns of Grass Valley and neighbouring Nevada City, six kilometres north-east, soon grew into the most important communities along the CaliforniaGoldfield and remain so to this day.

Although they were typical frontier towns, Grass Valley was noteworthy for itsrelative sophistication. After fires largely destroyed the two towns in 1855 and1856, the wooden frame buildings were soon rebuilt with brick and stone.Schools, churches, libraries and other civic buildings appeared, along with a liter-ary society, sewing circle, debating club and even a temperance association. In1855, a miners' discussion club was formed, and Warren B. Ewers, editor of thelocal weekly newspaper, founded the California Mining Journal, the first of its kindin the West (Paul, 1947). After it was forced to close two years later, he took overthe Scientific and Mining Press in 1862 from its founders, Julius Silversmith andGeorge H. Winslow. The Press published its first issue in San Francisco, in May1860, but Winslow drowned a month later and didn't live long enough to see hispaper germinate. Ewers sold the paper, in turn, to Alfred T. Dewey, at the end of1863. The paper reported comprehensive technical and mining news to an inter-national readership for over 60 years (Bailey, 1966, p. 22–23). It was described in1888 by the eminent historian, H.H. Bancroft, as "the leading journal on all thingsconnected with mining" (Limbaugh, 1999, p.44).

California lode gold development quickly grew into a speculative frenzy thatended with a stock market crash in 1853, the result of wild promotion, inade-quate planning and equipment, poor management and unskilled workers. Thenext few years witnessed a gradual recovery that was interrupted by a prospect-ing rush to the Comstock silver district near Reno, Nevada, that drew away manyminers. Several years passed before significant amounts of capital could beattracted from England and the eastern United States.

Although the veins in the Grass Valley camp were narrow, the rich grades andgood depth continuity of the oreshoots made them quite amenable to under-ground mining. The key was to increase productivity by investing in the bestavailable equipment and hiring skilled miners. It was only natural that the campwould become a magnet for Cornishmen, who had begun to emigrate to theUnited States and elsewhere in large numbers in the 1820s, as the local copperand tin industry began a long decline (see Part 13, CIM Magazine,September/October 2007, p. 84). They were among the first experienced minersto arrive in California. As an ethnic group, they were renowned for their under-ground mining skills and respected for their devout Methodist faith, strong indi-vidualistic work ethic, stoic fortitude and an aversion to political action (Ewart,1998). By 1890, the population of Grass Valley was reportedly 85 per centCornish (California State Parks, 1999).

historyIn the mines of the northernSierra, where the Cornish influence was

strongest, Old World technology was reflected in

both mining and milling methods. ‘Cousin Jacks’

dominated the drilling crews, and Cornish foremen

supervised underground operations. The first

Cornish pump in California was installed in the

Gold Hill mine in 1855 and the first ore-crushing

stamp mills in the district were of Cornish design,

although they soon gave way to the improved

California mills… The blanket-washing process, a

technology used in Cornwall for centuries, was one

of the distinguishing features of what became

known as the ‘Grass Valley System.’

The Cornish presence was welcomed by mine and

mill managers, many of whom were themselves

Cornish, commissioned by English investors

counting on their countrymen to protect their

mutual interests.(LIMBAUGH, 1999, p. 38)

California gold (Part 3)*by R.J. “Bob” CathroChemainus, British Columbia


* Except where indicated, the geological parts of thischapter are derived from Ash (2001).

economic geology

February 2008 | 103

Although they were accustomed to working with reli-able machinery, such as the famed Cornish pump, theyalso had a strange resistance to some of the new tech-niques that were being introduced. Even though there wasa shortage of miners in California, the reverse of the situ-ation in Cornwall, they resisted some attempts to modifyOld World methods. For example, bitter strikes broke outin 1869 and again in 1872 over the employers’ attempts tointroduce dynamite in place of black powder, and single-jack drilling (one man working alone) instead of double-jacking (two men working as a team, one to hold and turnthe drill and the other to strike it). Because of its greaterforce, dynamite required smaller holes, and one man witha smaller drill could do the work of two. Aside from theirfear that the innovation would reduce the undergroundwork force, Cornishmen had held strong prejudicesagainst single-jack drills for many generations. With theirclannish regard for tradition, they considered that it wascontrary to ancient custom (Paul, 1963).

The geological setting of the Grass Valley mines iscomplex but not as complicated as that hosting theMother Lode system. The ore-bearing veins are hostedprimarily by accreted intrusive rocks of the Lake Combiecomplex, of Late Triassic to Early Jurassic age, and apost-accretionary intrusion, the La Barr Meadows plu-ton, of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age (see figurein Part 21, CIM Magazine, November 2007, p. 90). Theolder complex includes serpentinized and foliatedharzburgite, dunite and pyroxenite. It is structurallyoverlain by a sequence of plutonic and volcanic rocks.The ages of the various units are poorly constrained.This assemblage is interpreted to be a supra-subductionzone within an ophiolite-transitional arc complex. The

La Barr Meadows plu-ton is a granodiorite toquartz monzodioriteintrusion that hasproven difficult to dateor to correlate withinthe regional setting.

Lode gold produc-tion from the GrassValley camp totalledabout 300,000 kilo-grams (10 millionounces), which wasobtained primarilyfrom two vein systems,the Empire-Star andI d a h o - M a r y l a n dgroups. Veins at theEmpire and North Starmines were hostedmainly by the La BarrMeadows pluton and

its country rock, massive diabase. The veins were up tothree metres thick with north to northwesterly strikesand shallow to moderate dips (average 35 degrees).Those on the west side of the pluton have prevailing dipsto the east, whereas those on the east side have promi-nent dips to the west. Most of these veins showedremarkable persistence and pass from diabase into gran-odiorite with little, if any, displacement at the contact.Many veins contain several stages of quartz deposition.Typical ore consists of free gold with small amounts ofsulphide minerals, mainly pyrite, but also some galena,chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite and,locally, scheelite.

The Empire-North Star vein system on Ophir Hill,which was the largest in the camp by far, produced about60 per cent of the total. The Empire portion extended overa strike length of 1.5 kilometres and a down-dip extent of2.1 kilometres (1.5 kilometres vertically), and producedan average grade of 19.2 grams per tonne (0.56 ounces perton) gold. The surface buildings and headframe are nowpreserved as a State Historic Park. First staked in 1850 bylumberman George Roberts, it passed through the handsof several inexperienced owners before financier WilliamBourn acquired control in 1869. After his death in 1874,his 22-year-old son, William Jr., began to modernize theoperation and commence a program of deep explorationthat resulted in the mine eventually becoming profitablein 1884. It became one of the most progressive and bestmanaged gold mines in the United States under hiscousin, George Starr, who served as superintendent formost of the period from 1887 to 1929, when the companywas sold to Newmont Mining Corporation. Newmont alsogained control of the North Star mine, 3 kilometres south-west, and the combined operations sheltered Grass Valleyfrom the hardships of the Great Depression. During the1930s and early 1940s, the workforce reached nearly4,000. After a brief shutdown during the Second WorldWar because of a labour shortage, the mine operated until1956. Horizontal development totalled about 585 kilome-tres and over four million litres of water were pumpedfrom the mine every day near the end of its life (CaliforniaState Parks, 1999).

In contrast to the Empire-North Star, the Eureka-Idaho-Maryland group of veins have a more easterly strike, withsteep southerly dips (average 70 degrees), although somedip steeply to moderately to the north. They occur prima-rily along the contact between highly ankerite-alteredfaulted contacts that separate diabase and/or gabbro fromserpentinite. Total gold production was about 100,000kilograms (3.2 million ounces). One of the oreshootsalong this vein system was famous as the source of spec-tacular specimens of free gold. It was up to 2.5 metresthick (average 0.8) with a pitch length of 1.6 kilometres,a width of 150 to 300 metres, and an average grade ofabout 34 grams per tonne (1 opt).

Miners preparing to ride the skip down theinclined shaft into the Empire mine, ca 1900.Courtesy of California State Parks.

Alleghany CampThis camp is situated on Pliocene Ridge between the

headwaters of the Middle and North Yuba rivers, about 30kilometres northeast of the Grass Valley camp. The firstplacer gold discovery, in 1852, was reportedly made byHawaiian sailors (Kanakas) who, like many others at thattime, had jumped ship in San Francisco. Lode miningbegan in 1853 at the Ireland mine, but early production inthe camp was sporadic and often unsuccessful. Continuousproduction commenced in 1904 and ended in 1965, exceptfor small-scale, intermittent high grading since then.

The camp contains about 35 individual mines, most ofwhich are typically very rich but small. High-grade ore-shoots often averaged from 3.4 kilograms per tonne (100opt) to many times that amount. The biggest mine, theSixteen-to-One, produced a little over 30,000 kilograms (1million ounces), with its largest oreshoot yielding about1,350 kilograms (43,500 ounces) from a portion of the veinhangingwall that measured 60 centimetres thick and lessthan 12 metres square. The next four largest mines com-bined produced less than 15,000 kilograms (500,000ounces). Accurate production figures are lacking but thetotal production from the camp has been estimated atapproximately 90,000 kilograms (three million ounces).

The geological setting is quite complex and it would haverepresented a serious challenge to early economic geologists.It consists of a number of predominantly mafic igneous rocksseparated by north-trending fault zones, marked by tabularbodies or lenses of serpentinite. They represent a mafic tointermediate protolith assemblage with minor interbedded,clastic sedimentary rocks that underwent Devonian or earlierages of amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The gold-quartzveins occur west of the terrane-bounding Foothills suturewithin the ophiolitic Feather River Belt. It is a fault-boundedlinear zone from two to 10 kilometres wide that extendssouthward for close to 150 kilometres. The belt containsharzburgite and lherzolite tectonite, dunite and pyroxenite,layered and massive gabbro and amphibolite that range frommiddle to late Paleozoic in age.

Fortunately, the ore controls are more predictable. Somesignificant veins occur in a distinctive chaotic assemblage ofquartz-mica schist, metaclastic and metavolcanic rockswith blueschist-facies metamorphic minerals, referred tocollectively as the Red Ant schist. For example, an amphi-bolite unit of the Red Ant schist hosts the Sixteen-to-Onemine. The amphibolite schist is interpreted to be derivedfrom a tholeiitic basalt. The majority of the veins in thecamp are hosted by mafic igneous rocks but are notablyabsent from the larger adjoining serpentinite bodies.

There are two main vein orientations in the camp, bothof which strike between north and west. The principal pro-ducing veins, which are generally thicker, have shalloweasterly dips, whereas less important veins dip steeply tothe west. The average width of the productive veins rangesfrom 1.5 to 1.8 metres, with considerable local thickeningwhere dips and strikes change. Gold grades generallyincrease as veins approach sepentinite, with maximum con-centrations at or near the intersection with unaltered ultra-mafic rocks. Most of the gold occurs as free gold or as blebsin arsenopyrite within 30 metres of serpentinite. Coarse-grained arsenopyrite occurs only near serpentinite and gen-erally carries appreciable gold values. Pyrite is locally abun-dant but other sulphide minerals are scarce. CIM

economic geology


ReferencesAsh, C.H. (2001). Relationship between ophiolites and gold-quartz veins in the North AmericanCordillera. Geological Survey Branch Bulletin 108. Victoria: British Columbia Geological Survey.Available at http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geolsurv/Publications/Bulletins/Bull108/toc.htm.

Bailey, L.R. (1996). Supplying the mining world: the mining equipment manufacturers of SanFrancisco 1850–1900. Tucson, Arizona: Westernlore Press.

California State Parks (1999). Empire Mine State Historic Park. Sacramento: California State Parks.

Ewart, S. (1998). Highly respectable families: the Cornish of Grass Valley, California 1854-1954.Grass Valley: Comstock Bonanza Press.

Limbaugh, R.H. (1999). Making old tools work better: pragmatic adaptation and innovation ingold-rush technology. In J.J. Rawls and R. Orsi (Eds.), A Golden State: mining and economicdevelopment in gold rush California. Berkeley: University of California Press in association withthe California Historical Society.

Paul, R.W. (1947). California Gold: The Beginning of Mining in the far West. Lincoln: University ofNebraska Press.

Paul, R.W. (1963). Mining Frontiers of the Far West, 1848-1880. New York: Holt, Rinehart andWinston.

Geology of the Alleghany gold camp (from Ash, 2001).

mining

Mine shafts sunk during 1900 to 1940 in North Americawere almost all rectangular, timbered shafts while in Europenearly all were circular and lined with brickwork or con-crete. The reason for this was ground conditions. Themajority of North American shafts were sunk in hard, com-petent rock. In Europe, on the other hand, the majority ofthe shafts sunk were in soft sedimentary rock, often withmajor water-bearing strata.

This was a busy period for shaft sinkers in a number ofareas in the world. In the Ruhr district of Germany aloneover 200 shafts were sunk: 124 shafts (1904–1914); 71shafts (1915–1932); 13 shafts (1933–1940).

This was also an exciting time for the Canadian miningindustry, with many of the famous mining camps opening upfrom 1900 to 1940. After the discovery of silver in Cobalt,Ontario, in 1903, prospectors ranged widely over thePrecambrian areas of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba,Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. In Ontario andQuebec, Abitibi and Larder Lake were discovered in 1906,Porcupine in 1909, Swastika in 1910, Kirkland Lake in 1911,Matachewan in 1916, Rouyn-Noranda in 1924 and Red Lakein 1925. In Manitoba, the Rice Lake district was discovered in1911, and in the Northwest Territories the deposits in the sed-iments in the Yellowknife area were discovered in 1933 andthose in the greenstones in 1935. In Saskatchewan, the Boxand Athona mines were discovered in 1934 and three shaftswere sunk at these properties in the La Ronge gold belt.

In British Columbia, bedrock gold deposits firstattracted attention in 1863 during the first great placergold rushes in the province. Little work was done onany of the discoveries and most were forgotten. TheBarkerville area was prospected in 1860 and some min-ing was done in 1876 and a few years thereafter. Large-scale mining, however, did not commence until 1933and 1934 at the Caribou Gold Quartz and IslandMountain mines. In 1897, the Cadwallader gold belt inthe Bridge River district, containing the Bralorne andPioneer deposits, was prospected, but it was not until1928 that the Pioneer mine was brought into produc-tion, followed in 1932 by the Bralorne mine. ThePremier mine in the Stewart district was brought intoproduction in 1918 and the Zeballos gold belt on thewest coast of Vancouver Island was discovered anddeveloped starting in 1934.

The evolution of shaft sinking systems in the western world and the improvement in sinking ratesPart 4 — Shaft sinking from 1900 to 1940: start of the Modern Era

by Charles Graham, managing director, CAMIRO Mining Division, andVern Evans, general manager, Mining Technologies International

In addition to all this shaft sinking activity, coal miningcontinued to attract attention in Nova Scotia, and over 100new coal mines were opened in that province during the1900 to 1940 period. Shafts in this area tended to be rela-tively shallow, however, generally less than 800 feet deep.This is in comparison with the McIntyre No. 11 Shaft thatwas sunk to a depth of over 4,000 feet in the Precambrianrock of Ontario. All in all, it is estimated that over 400shafts were sunk in Canada during this time.

Late in the 19th century, gold had been discovered in theJohannesburg area of South Africa, and from 1910 to 1948,341 rectangular, 41 circular and seven elliptical shafts weresunk.

The introduction of compressed air and electrical powerinto mines at the beginning of the 20th century had a greatimpact on shaft sinking practices.

By the start of the Great Depression, miners and shaftsinkers alike celebrated the industry’s embrace of the elec-tric hoist for most types of shaft work. Machinery makershad ironed out the wrinkles in the technology experiencedby the mining industry during the 1900s and 1910s and bythe 1930s were producing a variety of single and doubledrum models for shaft sinking and ore production. Forremoval of the broken rock from the shaft bottom, eithersinking buckets or sinking skips were used.

In the early 1900s, drilling was revolutionized by theintroduction of lightweight rock drills. Up until that time,

February 2008 | 105

4

Late in he 19 c ury gold be s ove J of

S A pe om 1910 948, 341

7 w unk.

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20

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Electrically powered hoist


the drills used for shaft sinking were stilllarge and heavy and required some type ofsupport to be used efficiently. TheJackhamer, introduced by the Ingersoll-Rand Co. in 1912, was a high point in theevolution of drilling equipment. Thishand-held machine with automatic rota-tion was easier to handle and more reliablethan earlier models. It was used along withhollow drill steel, through which air andwater could be directed to clear the hole ofcuttings. This drill revolutionized down-hole drilling and eased the lot of the shaftsinker. It likewise sounded the doom ofthe heavy tripod-mounted drills used upuntil that time. By 1921, the Jackhamerwas manufactured in five different sizes.

Although there was a huge improvement in the drillsthemselves used for sinking, there was no major change inthe quality of drill steel. Without carbide inserts in the drillsteel rill, it became dull very quickly when sinking in hardrock. Drill steel was usually sharpened onsite, either byhand or with a sharpening machine. This made a black-smith an integral part of the sinking crew.

A number of drill rounds were used in shaft sinking.Common in most of the world was a full-face pyramid cut;however Canadian shaft sinkers preferred a different type ofround — the bench round. This round involved blasting onlyhalf of the shaft at a time. The bench round had a number ofadvantages. It always provided a good sump and facilitated“cleaning bottom”; it also facilitated the hand mucking process.

Nitroglycerine-based explosives were used for blasting,usually with electric caps. Mucking was by hand into rela-tively small 21⁄2- to 4-ton buckets.

In Canada, the benching method of excavation generallycaused the blasted rock to be piled up at one end of theshaft. To ease the labour of hand mucking Canadian shaftsinkers generally placed the bucket on its side and scoopedthe majority of the muck into the bucket. After the bucketwas filled as full as possible in this manner, it was picked upinto a vertical position and the remainder of the bucketfilled in a normal manner. This system speeded up muckingand also made it easier for the shaft sinkers.

This system of mucking contrastedsharply with the system used in SouthAfrica where a full face round was blasted.In that country, the bucket was kept verticalon the shaft bottom and filled by a largecrew of muckers. In Europe a full face roundwas commonly blasted as well, but muckingwas carried out in a similar manner to SouthAfrica but with far fewer persons.

There were a number of innovations dur-ing this period that speeded up the hand-mucking cycle. Hand mucking into a largeopen-sided bucket that was then hoisted upwith an air tugger to fill a car was a precur-sor to the mechanical shaft mucker that wasto be developed in the 1940s.

The installation of shaft lining, whether itbe timber in a rectangular shaft or brickwork in a circularshaft, was installed in the same manner as had been used inthe previous period. In the case of timber shafts, the newsets were installed from a platform, usually referred to inCanada as a blasting set, which hung beneath the last tim-ber set. In the case of a circular shaft, the brickwork or con-crete was installed from a one- or two-deck moveable plat-form suspended from surface.

Shaft sinking in both Europe and North America duringthis period was nearly always carried out by contractors.This contrasted with South Africa where the mining com-panies generally sank their own shafts.

One important event occurred during this period thatwas to affect shaft sinking in Canada dramatically in thenext period of time — the arrival of Patrick Harrison inCanada. Born in Belfast just after the turn of the century,“Paddy” Harrison emigrated to Canada in 1921. After work-ing as a miner and shaft sinker for a number of years,Harrison became a mining contractor in 1934. His first shaftsinking contacts were in the Val-d’Or area of Quebec. Hiscompany, Patrick Harrison & Co., was to dominate shaftsinking in North America from its inception in 1934 until itsdemise in the 1980s — sinking almost 600 shafts duringthat period.

Typical manpower in a 13 by 26 foot rectangular shaftsunk in North America is listed by Donaldson in Table 1.

Light-weight shaft sinking drill

mining

6

blacksmith n egr pa of w. A us d

C

– pyr

T

nvol ,

I

Table 1. Manpower needed in typical North American rectangular shaft sinkings

Underground per shift 1 shift boss, 2 drillers, Total = 11 per shift2 helpers, 6 muckers

Surface per shift 1 engineer, 1 hoistman, Total = 14 per shift1 head tender,3 car men in dump,1 fireman, 1 compressor man, 1 surface fireman,1 mechanic, 2 carpenters,1 blacksmith, 1 blacksmith helper

An illustration of a bitsharpener used during1900-1940.

mining

February 2008 | 107

bottom. As the normal distance between sets was seven feetsix inches, normal procedure was to install two sets per day.Procedure as laid out by Jeppe was as follows:

“Two timbermen and 12 to 16 natives can normally lowerand swing one set in about half an hour, or two sets in 1 to 11⁄4hours. The operation is carried out either on the morning orafternoon shift, whilst the shaft bottom is being drilled off. Theinstallation of guides is also done during the drilling period, buton another shift by two more timbermen with their natives.”

Although the mechanical excavation of shafts usingrotary drilling techniques was not a popular alternative dur-ing this period, several mine shafts in Germany andHolland were excavated using these techniques. In the1920s, the Germans were able to drill shafts up to nine feet(2.7 metres) in diameter to a depth of 425 feet (130metres).

To summarize, the shaft sinking system utilized duringthe 1930s would have been comprised of the elements illus-trated in the last column of Table 2.

As with the previous periods, this period saw a hugeincrease in shaft sinking advance rates — from an averagerate of 10 to 12 metres per month to 30 to 40 metres permonth — a threefold increase. CIM

Statistics are given for several shaft sinkings in Wales.Daily advances of completed shaft varied from 1.8 to 6.6feet per day, with the average sinking speed seeming to bein the range of three to four feet per day or 90 to 120 feetper month (27 to 37 metres per month).

In North America, shaft sinking advance rates weresomewhat less than Europe, and the majority of the shaftswere rectangular and timbered. Sinking progress under nor-mal conditions ranged between 60 and 80 feet per month(18 to 24 metres per month).

In South Africa, sinking speeds were somewhat greater atan average of 135 feet per month (41 metres). The recordshaft sinking rate in South Africa in 1900 was 203 feet inone month. By the end of the period, the record sinkingadvance rate had increased to 454 feet in one month.

A good description of shaft sinking in South Africa at theend of this period is given by C.B. Jeppe in his book MiningPractice on the Witwatersrand:

“Immediately the shaft is clear of fumes from the previousblast, the new shift begins operations. The shaft sinker, with hishelper and 6 to 10 natives, go down the shaft, which theyexamine, clearing off any loose rock from the timbers. From themanifold platform, they examine and bar down the sides of theshaft to the shaft bottom; this usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

The rest of the native shift (45 to 60 natives) is then loweredand after watering down the broken rock and wall and walls,lashing is started. The “lasher boys” are placed to the best advan-tage for servicing the skips or buckets, which are first filled byhand with the larger rocks; special natives are detailed to breakup, with 14 lb. hammers, rocks which are too large for handling.…When the shaft bottom has been cleared of rock, the lashinggang with their gear of shovels, picks and hammers, are sent tosurface, the lashing operation taking usually from 4 to 51⁄2 hours.

When the shaft has been cleaned and blown over and all mis-fires have been blown out, and all old holes plugged and excesswater removed, drilling starts with the machines and drill steel,which have been sent down shortly before this. The drilling usu-ally takes between 1 and 11⁄2 hours. … Charging up of the holesis then started, taking usually from 30 to 60 minutes.”

In South Africa, at that time, regulations were that theshaft timber sets were to be kept within 50 feet of the shaft

BibliographyBrown, E.O.F. (1927). Vertical Shaft Sinking. London: Ernest Benn Ltd.

Donaldson, F. (1912). Practical Shaft Sinking. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.

Peele, R., & Church, J.A. (1941). Mining Engineers’ Handbook. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Jaimieson, D.M., Pearse, M.P., & Plumstead, E. (1961). The evolution of shaft design and sink-ing technique in South Africa. The Seventh Commonwealth Mining & Metallurgical Congress(pp. 1-34). Kitwe: Northern Rhodesia Section of the Seventh Commonwealth Mining andMetallurgical Congress.

Jeppe, C.B. (1946). Gold Mining on the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg: The Transvaal Chamberof Mines.

Higham, S. (1951). An Introduction to Metalliferous Mining. London: Charles Griffin & CompanyLtd.

McIntyre, J.T. (1949). Shafts of the New Consolidated Gold Fields Group. W.E. Gooday (Ed.),Symposium on Shafts and Shaft Sinking (pp. 197–272). Johannesburg: The ChemicalMetallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa.

Jansen, F., & Glebe, E. (1960). Shaft sinking in the West German coal mining industry. H.E.Collins (Ed.), Proceedings of the Symposium on Shaft Sinking and Tunnelling, the Institution ofMining Engineers (pp. 139-168). London: Andrew Reed & Co. Publishers.

Table 2. Shaft sinking systems

Prior to 1600 1600–1800 1800–1900 1900–1940Drilling No Double jacking Large pneumatic drills Light, handheld drillsBlasting Fire quenching Black powder Dynamite and safety fuse Dynamite and safety fuseMucking Hand Hand Hand HandPermanent lining Wood Wood Brick Brick or cast in place concreteProtection from ground falls Platforms in shaft Platforms in shaft Permanent brick lining Permanent liningHoisting Man-powered windlass Horse-powered windlass Steam-powered Hoists Electricity-powered hoistsHoist rope Hemp Hemp Wire rope Wire ropeVentilation Bellows Bellows Centrifugal fans Centrifugal fansWater handling Buckets Buckets Steam powered pumps Electrical pumpsWater control None None Freezing method Freezing or groutingAverage advance rate 3–4 feet/month 3–4 metres/month 10–12 metres/month 30–40 metres/month

metallurgy


Migration and movement of scholarsA study in the history of diffusion of knowledge: Part 1

by Fathi Habashi, Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, Laval University

IntroductionStudents seeking education, experts seeking employ-

ment, and scholars seeking knowledge have been movingfrom one laboratory to another, from one university toanother and from one country to another since ancienttimes. In addition, persecution of a minority usually resultsin migration of those persecuted, bringing with them theirknowledge and experience to the new host country. Warsand revolutions are other factors that contribute to the dis-placement of people from their devastated home countriesto settle in peace somewhere else. An oppressive regimealso forces dissatisfied scientists to emigrate.

Christian missions, in particular the Jesuits, were amongthe first organized groups devoted to spreading education.They opened schools in the New World, in the Far East andin Africa. An enlightened ruler may have invited experts incertain fields to introduce new knowledge in his country, orsent students abroad to acquire certain expertise. Chemists,geologists, metallurgists and mining engineers were activelytravelling to visit important mining districts to get first-hand information about the exploitation of mineraldeposits. Travellers published books describing their expe-riences, which became important historic documents.Conferences were held from time to time to bring scientiststogether to discuss problems of mutual interest. All thesemovements were important factors that contributed to thediffusion of knowledge. A few examples of historical inter-est are given to illustrate some of these points.

Alexandria: host to scholarsPerhaps the city that attracted the most eminent scholars

in the ancient world was Alexandria, founded by Alexanderthe Great in 332 BC. After his death, one of his generals,Ptolemy (367-283 BC) was made king of Egypt, Alexandriawas made the capital and the new Greek state became aforemost place among the countries of the world. Neverbefore had Egypt been so prosperous and Ptolemy, whobecame known as Soter (i.e. the Savior), was a strong and awise sovereign. He invited many Greek scholars to come toEgypt and he started an immense library of manuscripts.Commerce flourished and Alexandria became the centre ofintellectual and literary life of the world.

His son, Ptolemy II, established a museum, whichbecame an important learning institution. He expanded thelibrary by purchasing and copying books from around theworld. Alexandria became the largest city in the world,where famous Greek scholars lived and worked. Amongthese was the astronomer Eratosthenes (275-194 BC), who

measured the radius of the Earth, and the astronomerClaudius Ptolemy (90 BC-AD 168), who suggested that theEarth was the centre of the universe. The famous mathe-matician Euclid (330-275 BC) taught at the museum.Archemides (287-212 BC), the mathematician fromSyracuse in Sicily, and Galen (AD 130-200), the physicianfrom Pergamum in Asia Minor, both studied in Alexandria.The Greek geographer Strabo (63 BC-AD 21) spent manyyears in Alexandria.

Movement of Moslem scholarsAfter the death of the prophet Mohammed in AD 632 ,

the new religion spread very rapidly. The Moslem worldextended from Maghrib in North Africa to Central Asia.Moslem scholars travelled widely in these regions, andwrote and translated important works. For example, AbuReihan Muhammed Ibn Ahmed Al Biruni (973–1048) bornin Khwarizm (now Khiva in Uzbekistan), travelledthroughout India where he taught Greek sciences. Helearned Hindi and Sanskrit, translated several works fromSanskrit into Arabic and transmitted Moslem knowledge tothe Hindus. He determined the specific gravity of a numberof precious stones and metals, solved problems in mathe-matics and authored books on history, astronomy and mate-ria medica (Kitab Al Saydala).

Abu Ali Ibn Sina (980–1036), also known as Avicenna,was born near Bokhara in Uzbekistan, became a famousphysician and joined the court of the Samanid emperor.After the collapse of the empire, he left to Khwarizm wherehe composed his masterpiece on medicine, The Canon, andother books. He then travelled to Hamadan in Persia wherehe was appointed first minister. His work embraced theentire domain of science and all the knowledge of his time.He doubted the possibility of transmutation of base metalsinto gold and wrote on alchemy. His works on the physicaland natural sciences are numerous. About one hundred ofhis books have been translated by Europeans since the 12thcentury and were used in European universities until the18th century.

Abu Mohammed Abdallah Ibn Ahmed Ibn Al BaytarDhiya Al Din Al Malaqi (1188?–1248) was one of the great-est scientists of Moslem Spain and was the greatest botanistand pharmacist of the Middle Ages. He was born in Malaqa(Málaga), and studied and collected plants in and aroundSpain. In 1219, he left Spain on a plant-collecting expedi-tion and travelled along the northern coast of Africa as faras Asia Minor. After 1224, he entered the service of Al

metallurgy

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capital of the Holy Roman Empire, wherehe was appointed court assayer at theKutna Hora mint. He wrote his famousBeschreibung allerfürnemisten mineralis-chen Erz-und Berckwercksarten in 1574,which can be translated as TreatiseDescribing the Foremost Kinds ofMetallic Ores and Minerals, a key treatiseon mining and metallurgy. He becamechief inspector of mines in 1583.

Álvaro Alonso Barba (1569–1662)was born in the province of Huelva,Spain. At the age of 16, he went to theSpanish Colony of Real Audiencia de

Charcas, which comprised most of the present-day Bolivia.There he spent more than 70 years of his life as a priest. Hevisited different mines in the colonies and in 1590 devel-oped the hot amalgamation process for silver refining intro-duced earlier by Spanish technicians. In 1640 in Madrid, hepublished his book Arte de los Metales; the translation of thefull title would be The Art of Metals in which is Taught theTrue Beneficiation of Gold and Silver with Mercury, theMode of Smelting them and how they are to be Refined andSeparated One from Another. The book was devoted toores, amalgamation, smelting, refining and parting of met-als, and was translated into English, German and French.

Another wandering scholar belonging to this period wasPhilippus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim (1493-1541), known as Paracelsus. He founded what becameknown as iatrochemistry or, in modern terms, chemother-apy. Paracelsus was born in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. At theage of 16 he was a student at Basel, and in 1527, he wasmade a lecturer in the Medical Faculty at Basel. He wasfamous for his marvellous cures and devoted his academiclife to the denunciation of conservative practitioners. Withintwo years, a quarrel with a prominent canon made it neces-sary for him to quit. From this time, he led a wandering lifeand finally died at Salzburg. He was a voluminous writer.

In addition to these metallurgists, other distinguishedscholars were also on the move. For example, NicolausCopernicus (1478-1543), the Pole of German descent,studied in Cracow and then spent a decade in Italy to studymedicine and canon law. He discoverd that the Sun is thecentre of the solar system — an opinion that was against theteachings of the Catholic Church.1 He also explained theoccurrence of the seasons. Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), theDanish astronomer, left his home country in 1597 to live inPrague in Bohemia under the patronage of Rudolf IIemperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He was joined by theGerman mathematician Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) whorediscovered Copernicus’ views. CIM

1 These views were extended further by Giordano Bruno (1548-1600) but were con-sidered heretic and he was burned at the stake. Galileo (1564-1642) was perse-cuted by the Church for his support of the theory.

Kamil, the Egyptian governor, and was appointed chiefherbalist. In 1227, Al Kamil extended his domination toDamascus and Ibn Al-Baytar accompanied him there. Hisresearch on plants then extended to Syria, Arabia andPalestine. He died in Damascus. He authored Kitab Al Jamifi Al Adwiya Al Mufrada, one of the greatest botanical com-pilations dealing with medical plants in Arabic. Kitab AlMughni fi Al Adwiya Al Mufrada is an encyclopedia of med-icine. The drugs are listed in accordance with their thera-peutic value.

Migrations in the Middle AgesIn the 16th and 17th centuries, the following four

European personalities dominated metallurgical thought.They travelled extensively and wrote important works inItalian, Latin, German and Spanish.

Vannoccio Biringuccio (1480–1539), a master craftsmanin the practices of smelting and metalworking, received histraining in the craftsman shops in his native Siena, Italy,where the industrial arts flourished alongside the fine arts.He travelled widely through the Italian and German statesduring his early years. He wrote Pirotechnia in Italian,which was published one year after his death, the first bookdealing with the applied metal arts and the processes of orereduction. Biringuccio sought to describe the techniquesthat have been in the course of development since theBronze Age of western civilization.

Georgius Agricola (1494–1555) was born in Saxony andtrained as a medical doctor in Padua, Italy. He became inter-ested in mining and metallurgy when he was appointed asa town physician at Joachimsthal in Bohemia (nowJachimov in the Czech Republic). He was the first to makea thorough study of mining, minerals and metallurgy, andhis books were vastly used and widely translated for overtwo centuries. His contributions were of great significancebecause he was the first to document the state-of-the-art ofhis day.

Lazarus Ercker (1530–1594) was also born in Saxony.After studying mathematics and natural sciences at theUniversity of Wittenberg, the Saxon elector appointed himassay master at Dresden. In 1569, he moved to Prague, the

Ptolemy I

Abu Ali Ibn Sina, knownin the West as Avicienna

Abu Mohammed Abdallah IbnAhmed Ibn Al Baytar Dhiya AlDin Al Malaqi

As I left the superintendent’soffice, I had many thingsgoing through my mind.

When I arrived at Clayton’s office,he told me that I had been recom-mended by a man at the minewhom I knew. Clayton left the officeand then returned with the man. To

my surprise, it was GeorgeWatson. George had been asafety assistant at Eldorado.We shook hands and Clayton

said, “George, you take Pete to hisbunkhouse and show him the rest ofwhat he needs to know.” He took meto the store in which one boughtwork clothes, the kitchen, theshifter’s office and my room in thebunkhouse. George told me thatthis place was not as nice asEldorado, neither in terms of socialor work life. I was grateful toGeorge for having recommendedme to the mining authorities. Hewas again a safety supervisor andwas also, to some extent, doing

personnel work.When I took my

belongings from the carto the room, I noticedthat there were one ortwo car batteries in thehallway next to eachdoor. It was very coldthe day I arrived. Iparked my car in mydesignated parking stalland plugged it in. I haddinner and had time tospare before work. Atthe end of thebunkhouse was a largeroom that was furnishedso that people couldeither read or watch tel-evision. As I watched tel-

evision, I asked one of the menabout the car batteries. He said thatit would often get as cold as -50 or -60, and that at -60 the batterywould burst. That night I took outmy battery. The next day I saw sometrees that had split, apparently dueto the frost – I was told that the tem-perature had dropped to -68 thatnight.

Excerptc c

MINING IN CANADAa personal history

AN ONLINE MEMOIRE

www.cim.org

In the mid-1800s, thebroad St. Lawrence Riverthat brought ocean ship-

ping to Montreal was with-out a bridge along the 1,200kilometres betweenThousand Islands andGaspé. The final impetus fora bridge at Montreal camefrom the Grand TrunkRailroad; its goal was to con-nect its westward lines withthose coming from the ice-free ocean ports of theUnited States and, eventu-ally, to connect with NovaScotia via the Inter-ColonialRailroad. This paperdescribes the materials, design and construction, as well as the social andindustrial significance,of the Victoria Tubular Bridge,which was built in 1859.

Historically, relatively long-span wooden truss bridges, suspensionand cast iron bridges were literally shaken to pieces by heavy vibratingtrains. In the 1850s, it was discovered that wrought iron appeared to havethe needed strength and ductility. Although wrought iron was in usesince antiquity as a reinforcement of wooden structures, it was producedeconomically only after 1780. In the puddling process, mixtures of slagand pig iron from coke blast furnaces were converted into balls of spongeweighing 200 kilograms. Through forging at 1,100°C, the semi-liquid slagwas expelled down to three per cent. The forged bars were bundledtogether and forge-welded, with slag serving as a flux, to create largerbars or sheets. The slag stringers in an iron matrix gave excellent resist-ance to transverse fatigue cracking for railway axles. The sheets (whichwere 2 by 0.5 metres in size) could be riveted together with bent angularribs and, as such, were excellent for pressure boilers and ship hulls.

By about 1850, Robert Stevenson (from the United Kingdom) drewupon the riveted sheet and rib technology of hulls in order to experimen-tally develop wrought iron bridges with spans up to 138 metres. The rec-tangular box-girder, with additional reinforcements at the top and bot-tom, was about double the height of train carriages.This design was thenadapted for the Victoria Bridge and would require 9,000 tons of wrought

iron over a two-year period.Because such large quanti-ties of wrought iron werenot available fromCanadian sources, thesheets and angles wererolled, sheared andpunched for rivets inEngland.

In Canada, charcoal castiron production began in1729 at Forges St. Maurice(Quebec),which produced amaximum of 400 tons peryear until 1883. Charcoalcast iron production wascontinued at many smallerworks whose lifetimes were

limited by the availability of local raw materials. Another leading plantwas Grantham Iron Works (Quebec, 1853-1910); it sent 4,000 to 6,000tons per year to Montreal foundries for railroad components. Althoughthe cast iron production capacity near 1850 was about 10,000 tons peryear, the wrought iron production capacity (used for tools,nails and otherhardware) was nearer to 1,000 tons per year — rolled sheet was only afraction of this production.

T.C.Kieffer and S.Kieffer,two prominent civil engineers,decided to locatethe single-track Victoria Tubular Bridge upriver from the port, near the startof the Lachine Rapids,where the piers could be built upon bedrock that wasabout six metres in depth. The massive stone piers, which rose six to ninemetres above water, were constructed with sharp prows to break ice floes.Chief engineer A.Ross designed a 5.6 metre-high tube for 25 spans of 75 to100 metres. Site engineer J. Hodges oversaw the fabrication of the tubes;construction started from both shores and the tubes were built uponwooden trestles.

The tubular bridge lived up to design expectations by carrying up to100 trains per day. It was altered in later years to greatly increase capac-ity as explained in a future paper. As a result of the improved transporta-tion of feed stocks and of products, as well as of the growing equipmentneeds of the railways, metal manufacturing in Montreal tripled in thethree decades following the Victoria Bridge construction.

The Victoria Tubular Bridge (1859) — Wrought Iron

New online seriesThe metallurgical history of Montreal bridges

by H.J. McQueen, Concordia University

Figure 8. Laying the floor beams of the tube, workmen are aligning holes in preparation for the riveting team,

which is seen standing by the forge at the right. Rivets joining web and flange angles are clearly seen in the

lithograph (Hodges, 1860; Triggs et al., 1992).

Workmen laying the floor beams of the tube.

Click “Online Only Content” in the online version of CIM Magazine to view the complete text.

INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

CIM Bulletin Abstracts

113 Brucite: uses, exploration guidelines and selected grassroot exploration targetsG.J. Simandl, S. Paradis and M. Irvine

114 Leaching of polymetallic sulphide Cu-Zn-Pb concentrate with sulphuric acid in sodiumnitrate presence M.D. Sokic, R.Z. Vracar, I. Ilic and B.R. Markovic

115 Environmental management of mine sites with LiDAR altimetry and hyperspectralimagingJ. Wallace, B. Morris and P. Howarth

116 Exploration and Mining Geology JournalVolume 16, Numbers 3 and 4

117 Canadian Metallurgical QuarterlyVolume 46, Number 3

Peer reviewed by leaders in their fields

YOUR

GUIDETO

Complete CIM Bulletin papers are posted in theonline Technical Paper Library

www.cim.org112 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 3, No. 1

Brucite: uses, exploration guidelines and selected grassroot exploration targets

This paper has two main objectives. The first objective isto familiarize the reader with the mineral brucite and to high-light its growing importance as a non-toxic flame retardant, araw material used for the production of caustic and dead-burned magnesia, a functional filler in plastic compounds, inagricultural feed formulation and in environmental uses, suchas waste water treatment, and as a neutralizing reactant forthe treatment of acid rock drainage for the treatment of acidrock drainage. If large, high-grade brucite deposits are discov-ered, they could supply the above described markets and pro-vide ore for the production of magnesium metal. The currentbrucite market is probably much less than 100,000 tonnes;however, it is growing rapidly. Brucite has an advantage overmagnesium carbonates, such as magnesite and dolomite,because it does not contain CO2 in its crystal structure. Conse-quently, there is no CO2 released during the calcining or otherprocessing of this mineral except from processing-related fuelcombustion. This is a big marketing advantage for brucite, rel-ative to Mg-bearing carbonates, in today’s society, which isconcerned with reducing CO2 emissions, the main cause ofglobal warming. Great efforts to reduce these emissions aremade by most industries, including magnesia, lime, cementand Mg metal producers.

The second objective is to identify the most favourablegeological settings for brucite exploration, present the readerwith brucite exploration guidelines applicable worldwide andfinally focus on occurrences in British Columbia. Brucite is rec-ognized in a wide variety of geological settings; however, con-tact metamorphic/metasomatic brucite deposits hosted bydolomite or magnesite have the best economic potential. Thepredictable sequence of metamorphic index minerals withincontact metamorphic zones, starting from the distal unmeta-morphosed magnesium-bearing carbonate (dolostone ormagnesite-bearing rock) towards intrusive contact, helps tozero in on brucite mineralization. This sequence consists of

G.J. Simandl, British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines andPetroleum, Victoria, British Columbia,S. Paradis, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural ResourcesCanada, Sidney, British Columbia, andM. Irvine, British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines andPetroleum Resources, Victoria, British Columbia

talc, tremolite, forsterite and brucite/periclase. As the calcosil-icate index minerals, periclase and brucite are hosted within acarbonate protolith and are located in the hottest portion ofthe metamorphic aureole, commonly adjacent to intrusiverock, which is a source of heat. Periclase is the least stable ofthe periclase/brucite pair in near-surface geological settingsand it commonly converts to brucite. Highest grade brucitedeposits are expected to form in magnesite-bearing carbon-ate host rocks, but dolomite-hosted deposits will prove to beeasier to find. Both types of these deposits will become highlysought-after exploration and development targets over thenext few years. Five carbonate-hosted brucite occurrences arereported in British Columbia. These occurrences are poorlydocumented; however, some of them merit a geological fol-lowup. Even the occurrences where brucite does not formnearly monomineralic ore are of economic interest. As agroup, known British Columbia occurrences suggest that theCoast Plutonic Belt has good exploration potential, particu-larly where dolomite marbles are in contact with intrusiverocks; however, at least one important brucite deposit is notlocated at the contact with an igneous intrusive rock. In termsof traditional prospecting, due to their recessive nature, high-grade brucite occurrences are typically located in topographiclows. Boulder tracing is therefore a useful explorationapproach. Remote sensing may also aid in finding brucite-richrocks, due to its visible and near infrared properties.There are only a few brucite deposits currently in productionworldwide. This is due to a combination of factors, includingrestricted geological settings where economic brucitedeposits can be found, the recessive nature of high-gradebrucite occurrences and the unfamiliarity of the explorationcommunity with the physical properties of brucite. Bruciteremains overlooked as a valuable industrial mineral and as anore of magnesium metal. In summary, brucite has a significanteconomic potential as an industrial mineral and as a sourceof magnesium metal ore.

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February 2008 | 113

Leaching of polymetallic sulphide Cu-Zn-Pb concentrate with sulphuric acid insodium nitrate presence

The large deposits of complex ores may contain chal-copyrite, sphalerite, galena and pyrite in disseminated formwith complex mineralogical composition and fine-grainedstructures. Sometimes, when it is difficult to prepare flotationconcentrates of individual minerals, it is easier to prepare bulkconcentrates. Hydrometallurgical processes offer great poten-tial for treating complex sulphide ores, which results inincreased metal recovery and reduced air pollution hazards.Recently, there is increased interest related to the possibleapplication of various reagents in the hydrometallurgical pro-cessing of sulphide concentrates.

This paper studies the performance of the leachingprocess by sulphuric acid solution in the presence of sodiumnitrate, using selected complex Cu-Zn-Pb sulphide concen-trates from the Rudnik flotation plant.

Chemical reactions of leaching and their thermodynamicprobabilities were predicted based on the calculated Gibbsenergies and analysis of E-pH diagrams. Copper, zinc, leadand iron were leached from their minerals at low pH valuesand under the given oxidizing conditions. Under these oxidiz-ing conditions at high electrode potential and low pH values,Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions existed in a water solutions,while Pb2+ existed in sulphate form in the residue.

The phase detection in both the starting concentrate andthe products after the leaching process with H2SO4 andNaNO3 were performed for better understanding of thechemical reactions that took place in the system. Chemicalanalyses, X-ray diffraction analyses and light microscopy wereused for determination of the phase fractions in the poly-metallic concentrate and in the solid residuals.

The main sulphide minerals in the polymetallic concen-trate were chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite andquartz. Total sulphide content in the sample was 69.5%, andoccurrence of the free sulphide grains was 60.9%. Sulphidemonominerals were predominantly irregular in shape, with

dimensions in the range 10 to 100 mm. In addition, simpleand complex adherent minerals were observed with differentcombinations; mutually adhered beneficial minerals or miner-als adhered with gangue minerals, predominantly quartz.

The presence of the anglesite, elemental sulphur,gangue, and unleached sulphide minerals was registered inthe solid residuals. This fact shows that leaching product ofany sulphide mineral is elemental sulphur, which does not oxi-dize to sulphate in the temperature range (20 to 90ºC) andthe time interval (60 to 240 min.).

After the leaching process, copper and zinc are in theform of copper(II) sulphate and zinc(II) sulphate. Iron is oxi-dized to form iron(III) sulphate, which then acts as a leachingagent for the sulphide minerals and, at the same time,becomes reduced to iron(II) sulphate. Lead from the galenareacts to form lead sulphate (anglesite), which is insolubleand remains in the precipitate.

Detailed mineralogical investigations indicate a poly-metallic concentrate complexity and explain the weak leach-ing effect of suplhide minerals in the final leaching stage, dueto the following:• elemental sulphur and anglesite formed during the

process and then precipitated at the grain boundaries;• fine-grained mineral structure and complex mutual inter-

growth of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and pyrrhotite(inclusion, impregnation, simple and complex inter-growth); and

• complex adhered beneficial sulphide minerals withgangue minerals (predominantly quartz).

The accomplished leaching degrees under the given con-ditions (temperature of 90ºC, time of four hours, phase ratioS:L = 1:5, starting H2SO4 concentration of 225g/dm3, withsodium nitrate addition in the content 30% above the stoi-chiometric needed) are as follows: Zn — 89.25%, Cu —73.08% and Fe — 70.80%.

M.D. Sokic, Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other MineralRaw Materials, Belgrade, Serbia,R.Z. Vracar, I. Ilic, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade,Serbia, andB.R. Markovic, Institute for Technology of Nuclear and OtherMineral Raw Materials, Belgrade, Serbia

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Environmental management of mine sites with LiDAR altimetry and hyperspectral imaging

Rehabilitation of mines and associated lands in theprovince of Ontario is legislated in the Mining Act, OntarioRegulation 240/00. These regulations prescribe requirementsfor monitoring acid mine drainage (AMD) and maintainingthe safety of mine site infrastructure. They also emphasize thereclamation of lands to a state consistent with the naturallandscape. In this paper, several applications are demon-strated in which a digital elevation model (DEM) generatedfrom light detection and ranging (LiDAR) altimetry data, com-bined with hyperspectral mineral maps, is used to facilitateclosure and subsequent rehabilitation and monitoring of minesites. The applications focus on the Frood-Stobie mine site inSudbury, Ontario.

LiDAR altimetry can be used to map topography basedon principles of distance ranging. A timed laser pulse is trans-mitted to the ground from a LiDAR unit mounted on an air-craft. The laser beam is reflected from the target and returnsto a receiver in the unit. The time of travel is recorded and thedistance to the ground is calculated. The high spatial accuracyof the LiDAR DEM provides an ideal dataset to quantify 3-Dgeometry. In this study, the DEM was comprised of pixels of2 m spatial resolution. The use of 3-D software facilitates easyvisualization of the models. From the DEM, we have deter-mined that the Frood-Stobie pits and sinkholes cover an areaof approximately 74 hectares, with a volume of approximately54.8 +/- 0.9 million m3.The volume of water required to floodthe pits to the 268 m level would be 34.5 +/- 0.6 million m3,with a corresponding weight of 34.5 million metric tonnes.Engineers would find this information valuable when consid-ering the structural integrity of the pits for flooding. The 3-Dmodels can also be used by environmental and geotechnicalengineers to ascertain the geometry of the pits. Combiningthis with structural information of the rocks and the exca-vated underground system, they can be used to model thestability of the pits. The data can also be used to model theeffects of flooding the pit and other reclamation efforts.

The major contributors to AMD are iron sulphide miner-als, the most common of which is pyrite. AMD can be associ-ated with mine wastes, open pits or the mine site in general.Hyperspectral imaging can be used to identify surface miner-als associated with AMD, based on unique features in theirelectromagnetic spectra. Hyperspectral mineral fraction mapsdraped over the DEM provide significant insight into the spa-

J. Wallace, Department of Geography, University of Waterloo,Waterloo, Ontario,B. Morris, School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMasterUniversity, Hamilton, Ontario, and P. Howarth, Department of Geography, University of Waterloo,Waterloo, Ontario

tial distribution of AMD mineral assemblages with respect tothe local topography and adjacent watersheds. These associ-ations help to identify and explain sources, pathways andaccumulations of AMD, and to pinpoint areas where remedialaction is most needed. Combining both datasets facilitates abetter understanding of the spatial relationship between thespectral and spatial data.

To achieve comparable topographic resolution and spa-tial coverage of the airborne LiDAR survey, a very detailedfield survey would be required. In addition, a field surveywould likely have gaps due to inaccessible or structurallyunsafe areas such as the open pits. Aerial photography andphotogrammetric techniques would not provide the bare-earth DEM.These methods are also labour-intensive and moretime-consuming. Thus, airborne surveys of high spatial resolu-tion and high accuracy can be cost-effective. In addition,obtaining digital data over large areas is achieved in minutesand hours rather than months or years. Hence, relatively largelandscape surfaces can be assessed, characterized and quan-tified in a more timely manner than would be possible withground surveys. By combining LiDAR altimetry data withhyperspectral remote sensing data, personnel responsible formonitoring the health hazards of active and inactive minesites and those responsible for remediation are able to visu-alize and quantify more accurate models of the landscape,and environmental issues can be addressed more effectively.

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Exploration and Mining Geology JournalVolume 15—Numbers 3 and 4

emg abstracts

Distribution of Gold in Hypogene Ore at the Ernest Henry Iron Oxide Copper-GoldDeposit, Cloncurry District, NW Queensland

A.R. Foster, P.J. Williams, Economic Geology Research Unit, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University; and C.G. Ryan, CSIRO Exploration and Mining, School of Geosciences, Monash University

Petrographic studies, assay records, and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spec-trometer analyses of major sulfides suggest nearly all of the gold at the Ernest Henry Cu-Au depositoccurs in the form of native gold or electrum; sylvanite and dissolved gold in cobaltite, chalcopyrite,and pyrite make only minor contributions. Gold content is more variable in pyrite and highest in nar-row growth zones of a subordinate type of complexly zoned pyrite. Studies show that pyrite associ-ated with gold includes complexly zoned, weakly zoned, arsenian, and arsenic-poor types. Thetextures are compatible with the possibility that most gold was deposited electrochemically as nativemetal on pyrite surfaces. The textural distribution of gold has important metallurgical implicationsgiven that the ore processing circuits at Ernest Henry and most other sulfide copper mines aredesigned to exclude pyrite (and arsenic) from concentrates.

Geology and Chemistry of the El Abuelo Calcic Fe-skarn and Related Cu-(Ag)-bearingHydrothermal Veins, Chubut Province, Southern Argentina

M.E. Lanfranchini, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET),Instituto de Recursos Minerales (INREMI); R.E. De Barrio, Instituto de Recursos Minerales (INREMI);and R.O. Etcheverry, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)

The El Abuelo Ca-Fe-magnetite skarn and related hydrothermal quartz veins are located at CerroPepita Hill, in the southwestern Chubut province of southern Argentina. These deposits are developedin a continental magmatic arc environment linked to the Andean orogeny. Iron skarn mineralizationis mainly hosted by an Upper Jurassic to Early Cretaceous sedimentary sequence interbedded withUpper Jurassic basaltic andesite, and is spatially associated with Early Cretaceous calc-alkaline dikes.Ore grades vary between 40 and 63 wt.% Fe. In addition, anomalous metal contents are present inthe hydrothermal quartz veins. Some metallogenic characteristics of the mineralization and the geo-logical setting resemble those in several iron oxide copper-gold deposits elsewhere in the world.

Geology and Chemistry of the Low Ti Magnetite-bearing Heff Cu-Au Skarn and its Associated Plutonic Rocks, Heffley Lake, South-Central British Columbia

G.E. Ray; and I.C.L. Webster, B.C. Geological Survey

The magnetite-rich Heff Cu-Au skarn lies in the Quesnel Terrane of south-central British Colum-bia. The skarn formed close to the northern margin of the Heffley Creek pluton and is hosted by Carn-ian (Late Triassic) Nicola Group limestone. The Late Triassic pluton is a composite body of alkalineaffinity that includes dioritic, gabbroic, and magnetite-rich clinopyroxene ± olivine ultramafic phases.The most common non-opaque minerals are garnet, clinopyroxene, and carbonate, with lesser epi-

dote, biotite, amphibole, and chlorite. Microprobeanalyses completed during this study show that lowTi magnetite is not a unique feature of IOCGdeposits, but also characterize some other types ofhydrothermal mineralization. In British Columbiathese include some alkalic porphyry-related mag-

netite-apatite veins in the Quesnel Terrane, as well as the well-known Wrangellia-hosted Fe skarndeposits. Low Ti magnetite appears to be a common signature of many magmatic hydrothermaldeposits in contrast to the high Ti primary magnetite found in most igneous rocks.

Excerpts taken from abstracts in EMG,Vol. 16, Numbers 3 and 4.

Subscribe—www.cim.org/geosoc/indexEMG.cfm

cmq abstracts

February 2008 | 117

Effect of CMC and pH on the Rheology of Suspensions of Isotropic and Anisotropic MineralsE. Burdukova, D.J. Bradshaw, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town; and J.S.Laskowski, Department of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia

The rheology of mineral suspensions is highly dependent on the relationship between the mineral surfaceproperties and inter-particle interactions. In this paper, the rheological properties of mineral suspensions are usedto study the differences in behaviour of anisotropic talc and isotropic zircon minerals as a function of pH andpolymer dosage (CMC). It was found that the rheological tests when carried out in parallel with electrophoreticor point of zero charge measurements clearly reveal differences between the behaviour of the suspensions ofisotropic and anisotropic minerals. These differences are further accentuated with the addition of CMC.

Oxidation of Complex Ni-Cu Sulphide Ores and its Implication for Flotation PracticeS. Kelebek, B. Nanthakumar, and P.D. Katsabanis, Department of Mining Engineering, Queen’s University

This paper addresses oxidation of complex nickel-copper sulphides through a study of batch tests. Bothstockpile and lab samples produced significantly inferior nickel grade recovery compared to the fresh sample dueto a significant dilution effect by excessive flotation of pyrrhotite and non-floatability of some pentlandite. In con-trast to behaviour of nickel, chalcopyrite did not show a significant deterioration in its performance. Oxidationconditions which induce excessive floatability on pyrrhotite while causing incremental loss in pentlandite floata-bility appear to be the root cause of difficulties in the processing of these ores.

Investigation of KCl Crystal/NaCl-KCl Saturated Brine Interface and Octadecylamine Depositionwith the Use of AFMN. Schreithofer, Laboratory of Mechanical Process Technology and Recycling, Helsinki University of Technology;and J.S. Laskowski, Department of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia

The deposition of octadecylamine at the KCl crystal/NaCl-KCl brine interface was investigated using atomicforce microscopy. The AFM images of freshly cleaved KCl specimens immersed in a KCl-NaCl saturated brine atroom temperature reveal the disappearance with time of the atomic steps and formation of cubic NaCl crystals.Depending on the way of contacting the specimens with the octadecylamine dispersion, the AFM images showhuge differences in the deposition patterns of ODA on KCl crystals. The presence of methyl-isobutyl carbinolenhanced the dispersion of ODA in brine, thus helping more uniform deposition of the surfactant on the KCl crys-tal surface.

Effect of Brine Concentration on the Krafft Point of Long Chain Primary AminesJ.S. Laskowski, M. Pawlik, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia; andA. Ansari, AMEC, Mining & Metals Process

In potash ore flotation carried out in NaCl-KCl saturated brine, long chain primary amines are used as flota-tion collectors. This paper deals with the effect of electrolyte concentration on the Krafft point (KP) of dodecy-lammonium chloride. A simple experimental procedure for the determination of the KP for higher electrolyteconcentrations is also described. The results show that the Krafft point of dodecylamine increases from about 17to 18ºC (in distilled water) to about 80ºC at 16% brine saturation.

Dextrin as a Regulator for the Selective Flotation of Chalcopyrite, Galena and PyriteA.L. Valdivieso, A.A. Sánchez López, S. Song, H.A. García Martínez, and S. Licón Almada, Area de Ingeniería deMinerales, Instituto de Metalurgia, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí

The adsorption of both dextrin and xanthate ions at the pyrite/aqueous solution and the galena/aqueoussolution interfaces have been studied through batch adsorption tests. Dextrin adsorption isotherms on two types

Canadian Metallurgical QuarterlyVolume 46—Number 3


cmq abstracts

of surfaces of pyrite show that the greater the initial surface density of iron hydroxides, the higher the adsorp-tion of dextrin is. Results are presented on the flotation of chalcopyrite from a chalcopyrite-galena bulk concen-trate high in pyrite using dextrin as a depressant for galena and pyrite at pH 8.

Effect of n-Alcohols on the Stability of BubblesG.J. Jameson and V. Parekh, Centre for Multiphase Processes, University of Newcastle

A new method of characterizing the effect of solutes on the stability of bubbles in aqueous media isdescribed. The effect of a homologous series of n-alcohols on the persistence time was measured in aqueoussolution. The magnitude of the persistence time was found to increase with increasing numbers of carbon atomsin the molecule. The concentration Cmax at which the maximum persistence time was observed was found to beindependent of the bubble size. There was no apparent correlation with the surface excess at maximum persist-ence time.

Adsorption of Guar Gum on Potash SlimesX. Ma and M. Pawlik, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia

Adsorption of guar gum on model minerals and actual potash slimes was investigated. The adsorption den-sity of guar gum on illite, dolomite and kaolinite was found to be not only a function of total ionic strength butalso of the type of electrolyte present in solution. The results were analyzed in terms of chaotropic or kosmotropicproperties of background counter-ions and their different behaviours at the hydrated mineral-water interface. Thedata also suggest that the dolomite component of water insoluble potash slimes is not fully protected by thepolymer in a saturated brine.

Role of Flotation Reagents in Tuning Colloidal Forces for Sphalerite-Silica SeparationJ. Liu and Z. Xu, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta

Colloidal interactions between sphalerite and synthesized ZnS and between silica and synthesized ZnS inaqueous solutions were studied using direct surface forces and zeta potential distribution measurements. Therole of flotation reagent was investigated. The measured long range forces were described with the classical orextended Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The findings from this study provide insightsinto silica misplacement in sphalerite/silica flotation systems.

Slurry Viscosity Modification Effects on Classifying Cyclone Performance R.Q. Honaker, A. Das, and F. Boaten, Department of Mining Engineering, University of Kentucky

Efforts to reduce the amount of ultrafine bypass in classifying cyclones by decreasing water recoveryincreased the particle size cut point and negatively affected classification efficiency. The addition of a viscositymodifier to the feed stream of a classifying cyclone improved the classification performance and decreased theparticle size cut point over a range of feed solids concentrations. The detailed test program investigated the useof the modifier in conjunction with varying apex diameters to identify conditions that minimize ultrafine bypass.

Effect of Modified Dextrins on the Depression of Talc and their Selectivity in Sulphide MineralFlotation: Adsorption Isotherms, AFM Imaging and Flotation StudiesD.A. Beattie, L. Huynh, A. Mierczynska-Vasilev, Ian Wark Research Institute, ARC Special Research Centre forParticle and Material Interfaces, University of South Australia, M. Myllynen, and J. Flatt, School of Natural andBuilt Environments, University of South Australia

Three novel dextrin polymers of varying functional group chemistry but similar molecular weight have beenused to depress talc in single and mixed mineral studies. The mixed mineral system was a model sulphide oreconsisting of talc, pentlandite and chalcopyrite. Adsorption isotherms for the three polymers on both valuableand gangue mineral phases were determined to give initial clues as to the ability of the polymers to depress talc.All three polymers were found to be reasonably selective in their action although at high dosages the polymersbegan to affect the flotation of the valuable minerals.

Excerpts taken from abstracts in CMQ, Vol. 46, No. 3.Subscribe—www.cmq-online.ca

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February 2008 | 119

Mineral Agreementsand Royaltiesby Karl Harries

Special Volume 55, a two-volume set, is a generic guideintended to assist anyoneinvolved directly or indirectlyin the mineral explorationindustry.

The Geology,Geochemistry,Mineralogy and Mineral Beneficiation of Platinum-Group ElementsSpecial Volume 54 provides newinformation and insights onplatinum-group element depositsworldwide in terms of theirgeological setting, ore controls,mineralogy, geochemistry, mineralprocessing, and beneficiation.

CIM Bulletin TechnicalPapers 2007A compilation of peer-reviewed technical paperspublished in the CIM Bulletinfrom February to November2007.

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In the next issueWhat’s new in Nickel?The March/April 2008 issue of CIM Magazine will include aspecial focus on the dynamicworld of nickel.

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voices from industry


Saskatoon – or recently tagged – “Saskaboom”by Robert Carey, president and CEO, RJC Industrial Design Ltd.

In a September 2007 newspaper article, the Globe and Mail tagged Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,as “Saskaboom.” The article (“Sizzling economy creating a Saskaboom”) highlighted a recentboom of activities in the city. This wasn’t the first time in the past few years that the newly

tagged nickname arose — I first heard it in a real estate agency’s radio advertisement back in 2006.According to the September Globe and Mail article, the average cost of a house in Saskatoon in2006 was $253,000 — a 57 per cent jump. The article also quoted “Saskatoon is the new Calgary”and the Conference Board of Canada said that Saskatoon, with a population of 202,000, wouldhave the country’s fastest growing economy this year, knocking Calgary from the top spot.

A large portion of the boom activity is due to recent Saskatchewan potash mining expansions.A key portion of the industry’s expansion comes from three of the large potash producers of the area— PotashCorp, Cargill (formerly IMC) and Agrium. With five large facilities in Saskatchewan (Cory,Patience Lake, Allan, Lanigan and Rocanville), PotashCorp is the world’s largest potash producingmining company. Its large expansions began back in 2003 with a $100 million compaction expan-sion at their Rocanville division. Then, in 2005, the Allan division had a $200 million expansion fol-lowed in 2006 by a $400 million one at their Lanigan division. In 2007, PotashCorp released thedetails of an $800 million expansion at their Cory division facility and another of a $100 million attheir Patience Lake division. Last year they also released details of a $1.6 billion expansion in NewBrunswick, using Saskatoon engineering firms for the design plans. And, just last week, it announcedan unprecedented $2 billion dollar expansion at their Rocanville division, including the sinking of athird shaft. These types of projects and budgets were unprecedented in Saskatchewan for many years.

Another factor contributing to the growth is the recent Saskatchewan uranium miningexpansions. Saskatchewan is home to Cameco, the world’s largest low-cost uranium supplier,providing almost 20 per cent of world mine production. Cameco owns and operates a control-ling interest in many mining facilities in northern Saskatchewan including at McArthur River,Key Lake, Rabbit Lake and Cigar Lake. McArthur River is known as the world’s largest, high-gradeuranium deposit with proven and probable reserves of 367 million pounds of U3O8 with an aver-age grade of 20.5 per cent. Another large uranium supplier, French-owned Areva, also owns andoperates multiple uranium mining facilities in northern Saskatchewan.

A portion of the increased activity is due to the recent diamond exploration occurring inthe Fort à la Corne area in the middle of the province. Many large players, including De Beers,Kensington and Shore Gold, are carrying out exploration activities, including large bulk samples.Coal, oil and gas, and rare earth metals are other areas of expansion.

What other factors in Saskatoon point to a boom? A fourth (and largest) Wal-Mart storerecently opened in a new south-end box store, just one year after a third store was opened. TimHortons are popping up everywhere — there are three on 8th Street alone and two on 22ndStreet. Even the university has two of them.

The traffic at rush hour has increased. Not that long ago, you could get anywhere inSaskatoon in ten minutes. Now, during rush hour, it can take you 45 to 55 minutes.

Rent in Saskatoon has gone through the roof. I was a recent renter and during 2007 my rentincreased twice — 22 per cent at first, followed by another 22 per cent three months later. This wasenough incentive for me to purchase a house. However, housing prices continue to climb. The recent6 o’clock news hinted at the possibility of the average Saskatoonian soon not being able to owntheir own home.

Unfortunately, the small business and restaurant community is really hurting due to staffshortages. My local Dairy Queen, McDonalds and Subway fast food restaurants all close earlydue to a lack of staff. There is even a sign at the Dairy Queen apologizing in advance to cus-tomers for the delays caused by staff shortages. In my 34 years living in Saskatoon, I have neverseen such signs at food service outlets. Running out for a “quick lunch” is now a thing of thepast in “Saskaboom.” CIM

Robert Carey

Atlas Copco Construction and Mining CanadaPhone: 1-800-465-6719 24-hour on-call service, 7 days a [email protected]

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Innovation matters most when it takes you to higher levels of productivity, efficiency and safety. AndCaterpillar is focused on developing new ways to make a real difference in your mining operation.

Haul road maintenance is critical to extending tire and component life on your mining trucks—andmotor graders are the key to getting the most from your fleet. The new Caterpillar® M-Series MotorGraders are a monumental step forward in design innovation, making operation simple and comfortable, allowing operators to work more efficiently and cover more road.

M-Series Motor Graders are the first and only joystick-controlled motor graders on the market tocompletely eliminate the conventional levers and steering wheel. This reduces hand and arm movements by as much as 78%, resulting in less fatigue and more productive shifts. New lines ofsight are open to improve visibility, while a completely redesigned cab puts controls in close reach toimprove efficiency.

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© 2007 Caterpillar All Rights ReservedCAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow” and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

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