Ontario Mineral Exploration Review - Fall/Winter 2012

Ontario MineralExplorationREVIEW

Fall /Winter 2012

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Too hot to handle? Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire

Kirkland Lake Gold’s high-grade reserve and resource base shows promise for decades

Canada’s new Environmental Assessment regime: what miners need to know

Chemistry 101: the many faces of cyanide

SCR Mines Technology Inc.

Fall/Winter 2012 3

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Minister’s Message – the Honourable Rick Bartolucci 4Kirkland Lake Gold’s high-grade reserve and resource base shows promise for decades 6Mining for green 8ARMIT, a break-through in TDEM sensor technology 10Don’t miss 81st annual PDAC International Convention, Trade Show & Investor Exchange 12Undercover investigation, Part II: innovation 14Canada’s new Environmental Assessment regime: what miners need to know 16The success story of a Canadian company known for its mining applications 18Too hot to handle? Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire 20A practical guide to dust suppression 22Building off-site can simplify construction 28Chemistry 101: the many faces of cyanide 31Accurassay Labs bringing new service and value in 2013 33How does your ice measure up? 34Hearst Air Service provides mining companies with the services they need for remote fly-in to Northern Ontario 35Lab quality control versus mine quality control 36‘Brite’ building solutions by BRITESPAN Building Systems 37Fordia innovates again 38

Abitibi Geophysics Inc.. .............................................. 11Accurassay Laboratories ............................................. 33Activation Laboratories .............................................. 15ALS Minerals .............................................................. 14Assaynet Canada Inc .................................................. 36BMH Systems ............................................................. 18Britespan Building Systems........................................ 37CIM ............................................................................ 27Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corp. ..................... OBCFordia ......................................................................... 12Future Buildings ......................................................... 17Hard Assets ............................................................... IBCHearst Air Service ....................................................... 35Hertz Equipment Rentals ........................................... 15Insight West ............................................................... 21Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. ............................................... 26Landdrill International Inc.......................................... 19

Leisure Farms Construction Ltd. ................................... 9Mine Site Technologies (Canada) Inc. ........................... 5Mullen Trucking LP ..................................................... 24Norex Drilling ............................................................... 7NorOnt Consulting Inc ................................................ 23Norske Drilling ............................................................. 4Northstar Drilling ....................................................... 25NRB Inc. ..................................................................... 29OBM Equipment Service ............................................. 18Ross Industries Ltd. .................................................... 34SCR Mines Technology Inc. .........................................IFCSGS Minerals Services .................................................. 5SW Safetywhips Canada ............................................ 13Terraquest Airborne Ltd................................................ 4Testmark Laboratories Ltd. ......................................... 32Tetra Tech Wei Inc. ...................................................... 30Wilson Mining Products ............................................. 16

Index to Advertisers

Ontario MineralExplorationREVIEW

4 Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

Mineral exploration and development has been a core industry in Ontario for more than a century. Our superior mineral endowment is complemented by a dynamic mining sector, rich with knowledge and expertise in all areas. Bolstered further by exciting new mineral discoveries, we look forward to an even brighter future for mineral exploration and development in the province.

Ontario ranks among the top 10 world producers of platinum, nickel and cobalt, and among the top 20 producers of gold, silver, copper and zinc. We are also part of a select group of jurisdictions that produce, process and market diamonds.

For more than a decade, Ontario has led our nation in mineral exploration spending, and remains among the top 10 mineral invest-ment jurisdictions in the world. Last year, exploration spending in the province reached a record $1 billion. It is expected that about 26 per cent of all exploration and mineral deposit appraisal dollars invested in Canada will be spent here.

With 42 mines currently operating in the province, we are Cana-da’s largest producer of non-fuel minerals, and are a global mining

force. All told, Ontario accounted for 21 per cent of the country’s non-fuel mineral production in 2011 with a value of about $10.7 bil-lion.

Investing in mineral exploration and development in Ontario pays off. Over the last decade, more new mines opened here than any-where else in Canada. Our mining sector now employs about 27,000 people directly and another 50,000 indirectly, and the mining equip-ment and services sector employs more than 25,000 people in North-ern Ontario alone. Many communities, particularly in Northern On-tario, thrive on mining activity. With this in mind, the Government of Ontario is focusing on helping the mining industry open at least eight new mines over the next 10 years.

More recently, exciting discoveries show that the Ring of Fire area in Northern Ontario holds the promise of being Canada’s first world-class chromite deposit, with strong potential for nickel, copper, zinc, gold and other deposits. In consultation with First Nations, we look forward to unlocking the potential of the Ring of Fire and creating thousands of jobs in Northern Ontario.

Our government is committed to advancing mineral development for the benefit of all Ontarians. With that in mind, we are working in consultation with stakeholders to modernize elements of our Mining Act. We are developing regulations that promote sustainable mineral activity in a way that respects the environment, Aboriginal and treaty rights, communities and individuals. With modern, balanced and equitable guidelines, the modernized Mining Act will bring greater clarity and certainty for the mining industry.

Furthermore, we continue investing in services such as geologi-cal mapping and the digitization of geoscience information to help Ontario’s mineral exploration sector identify areas of economic op-portunity.

We are building on today’s successes to create a sustainable future for mineral development in Ontario.

OntariO a lEadEr in MinEral dEvElOpMEntBy Rick BartolucciMinister of Northern Development and Mines

Fall/Winter 2012 5

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Kirkland Lake Gold (TSX: KGI) is an operating and exploration gold company in Kirkland Lake, Ontario which is located in the Lower Abitibi Greenstone Belt in northeastern Ontario. Kirkland Lake Gold owns the five former high-grade mines that produced 22 million ounces of gold with an average grade of 15.1 grams per tonne. The future of the Kirkland Lake camp brightened signifi-cantly some six years ago when there was a new high-grade geolog-ic discovery, called the South Mine Complex (SMC), found on its ground. In its recently completed fiscal year, Kirkland Lake Gold produced 100,275 ounces of gold—in part from the SMC—and with its expansion plans, the company has its sights on producing 180,000 ounces this year and ratcheting up 250,000 ounces next year. With close to 1,000 direct employees, Kirkland Lake Gold has become an important part of the Kirkland Lake area regional economy.

In 2005, the Kirkland Lake Gold exploration team positioned drills underground, targeting earlier exploration holes in a new zone to the south, and in a different geologic setting than the quartz vein hosted Main/’04 Break which produced the 22 million ounces of gold; gold in association with sulphides. Discovered with a hole that intersected 90 feet of 2.3 ounces of gold, this became the exploration focus for Kirkland Lake Gold for the next several years. The SMC has now grown to (as at December 31, 2011) 273,000 tons containing 816,000 ounces in the P+P category grading 21.9 grams per tonne or 0.64 ounces per ton, 1,242,000 tons containing 780,000 ounces in the M+I category grading 21.6 grams per tonne or 0.63 ounces per ton, with another one million tons containing

Kirkland Lake Gold’s high-grade reserve and resource base shows promise for future decades

662,000 ounces in the inferred category grading 22.6 grams per tonne or 0.66 ounces per ton.

That is not to say that there is no gold left in the Main/’04 Break. KGI has been mining that ore since 2005 and continues to do so today. Kirkland Lake Gold’s total reserves and resources (including the SMC) are 2,884,000 tons containing 1,473,000 ounces in the P+P category grading 17.5 grams per tonne or 0.51 ounces per ton, 3,433,000 tons containing 1,623,000 ounces grading 16.1 grams per tonne or 0.47 ounces per ton, with an additional 1,970,000 tons containing 1,003,000 ounces in the inferred category grading 17.5 grams per tonne or 0.51 ounces per ton.

On top of this reserve and resource base, in March 2012, the company entered into an agreement to acquire joint venture part-ner Queenston Mining’s 50 per cent interest in the seven JV prop-erties the two companies own in the Kirkland Lake camp, for a cost of $60 million. The South Claims former JV property hosts the extension of the South Mine Complex, where gold grades have been very rich, in excess of 45 grams per tonne. Drilling on these new claims has commenced, with two underground drills and two surface drills. Results are expected in the fall, along with results from Kirkland Lake Gold’s surface drill program where three drills are turning.

In 2008, Kirkland Lake’s high-grade asset profile, compelling ex-ploration potential, and opportunity for organic growth at low cap-ital cost attracted the attention of former Goldcorp underground mine manager Mark Tessier. Tessier spent seven years overseeing the expansion of the newly discovered high-grade zone at Gold-

Kirkland Lake Mayor Bill Enouy cutting the ribbon at Kirkland Lake Gold’s new dry in 2012.

Fall/Winter 2012 7

corp’s historic Red Lake mine, resulting in 2.8 million ounces of production over six years. Tessier brought his production vision to Kirkland Lake Gold, designed a low-capital, four-year expansion plan, and in January 2009 initiated projects aimed at increasing gold production to 250,000 - 300,000 ounces per year starting in May 2013, the start of Kirkland Lake Gold’s 2014 fiscal year.

Kirkland Lake Gold was founded by mining industry veterans Harry Dobson and Brian Hinchcliffe, who began their search for a gold camp in 2001, during a time of depressed gold prices and un-certainty in gold mining in Canada. Hinchcliffe was familiar with the Macassa mine from his work in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a metals trader with J. Aron Goldman. Dobson and Hinchcliffe have a strategy whereby they study commodities cycles and de-termine when the market considers a metal out of favour but the supply/demand fundamentals indicate spot prices have bottomed and are positioned for a rally, therefore enabling them to purchase assets at a discounted price.

Having successfully done this before twice, building both nickel and zinc companies (the latter of which was sold to Breakwater Resources in 1990 and is still in production today), in 2001 they

began the search for a large gold asset with the criteria of having to be located in a politically safe country, have a large exploration potential, and be located close to existing infrastructure that could be rehabilitated rather than built from the bottom up in the event that production was re-established. Hinchcliffe and Dobson have founded mining companies with a focus of delivering high in-vestment returns on capital deployed and internal rate of returns. These criteria, coupled with the upside exploration potential in an established mining camp and strategy of purchasing assets when commodities are at or near the bottom of a cycle, propelled the two to purchase the entire camp from Kinross Gold for $5 million and $15 million in royalty payments. Kirkland Lake Gold completed royalty payments in 2011.

The company is now less than one year from increasing produc-tion 600 per cent from levels just four years ago. With Kirkland Lake’s high-grade reserve and resource base, low capital-cost ex-pansion capabilities, strong returns on capital deployed, growing yearly production and declining cash costs, and location in a po-litically safe country, this company has significant upside and the mine potential to be in operation for decades.

CEO Mark Tessier speaks during a site visit. Gold pour. Finished product.


Canada’s mining industry is among the largest and most productive in the world, an industry in which Canada is a true global leader. Mining contributes over $40 billion annually to Canada’s Gross Domestic Prod-uct (GDP), larger than any other major in-dustrial sector including energy, forestry or automotive.

It is therefore not surprising that Canada’s mining industry also presents many oppor-tunities to reduce energy use and green-house gas emissions. According to the Ca-nadian Industrial Energy End-use Data and Analysis Centre at Simon Fraser University, in 2009 the mining and non-ferrous metal smelting industries accounted for seven per cent of total energy consumption, and six per cent of direct industrial GHG emissions in Canada1.

Mining for green

Cleantech offers a unique solution. The adoption of cleaner technologies will im-prove the bottom-line by reducing the costs associated with operating mines, improving production efficiencies while lessening the environmental impact of mines and associ-ated activities.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is at the forefront of sup-porting clean technology development in Canada and mining-related technologies constitute an important part of our port-folio. With three mining projects and a to-tal project value of $10.7 million, SDTC is building up the mining cleantech sector—a move that promises to revolutionize the way mining is done in Canada and around the world.

Our portfolio companies are a diverse

mix, offering a wide range of clean technol-ogy solutions.

BESTECH, for example, is helping to reduce energy use with its ventilation tech-nology, “Dynamic Ventilation on Demand” (DVOD), which provides an automated deep mine ventilation control, monitoring and tracking system. This technology has led to energy savings at Vale’s Coleman mine/test centre of approximately 20 per cent, as well as climate change and clean air benefits in five demonstration underground mining levels by modifying ventilation within the mining environment where it was needed, rather than maintaining it throughout the entire mine.

Mining Technologies International is working on demonstrating a diesel-electric hybrid technology in a medium-size un-

1: Many types of environmental monitoring sensors can be integrated into the NRG1-ECO TM control system to monitor various parameters including temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO

2) and nitrogen monoxide (NO); providing real-time data to support ventilation as required.

2 & 3: NRG1-ECO TM can be applied to automated equipment and processes such as louvres, compressors, pumps and ventilation to significantly reduce energy consumption.

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Fall/Winter 2012 9

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derground loader, and incorporates an advanced propulsion system to maximize efficiency and energy recovery while mini-mizing exhaust emissions and reducing fuel consumption. The technology is expected to result in reduced operating costs, improved health and safety, decreased greenhouse gas emissions and improved environmental sustainability.

And Rail-Veyor Technologies Global Inc. has developed Rail-Veyor®, an environmen-tally friendly, electrically powered rail haul-age system with a flexible lightweight design to reduce environmental scarring while us-ing less energy with no direct air emissions. The Rail-Veyor® cars travel at speeds of up to 32km/hr as they climb grades of 20 per cent and negotiate complex turns within a 30-metre radius. The expected Rail-Veyor® GHG emissions will be one per cent of cur-rent truck, 40 per cent of conveyor and 21 per cent of heavy rail alternatives.

These are just a sample of the exciting clean technologies being developed in Can-ada for the mining industry. The timing is right for these technologies, as the mining sector looks increasingly to improve the sustainability of its operations and embrace breakthrough innovations. SDTC is at the forefront of facilitating this paradigm shift through the commercialization of innova-tive mining technologies.

About SDTC (www.sdtc.ca)SDTC is an arm’s-length foundation

funded by the Government of Canada as part its commitment to create a healthy environment and a high quality of life for all Canadians.

SDTC operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of in-novative technological solutions. The $590-million SD Tech Fund™ supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water, and clean soil. The $500-million NextGen Biofuels Fund™ supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the

production of next-generation renewable fuels.

SDTC operates as a not-for-profit cor-poration and has been working with the public and private sector including indus-try, academia, non-governmental organi-

zations (NGOs), the financial community and all levels of government to achieve this mandate. 1.Online: http://www2.cieedac.sfu.ca/media/ publications/Mining%20Report%202010%20

_09_%20Final.pdf

Integration is at the core of NRG1-ECO TM. NRG1-ECO TM’s open architecture technology allows it to integrate with new or existing mine infrastructure, giving established mines the same opportunity to realize significant savings.

NRG1-ECO TM 3-D Viewer. Zones within the NRG1-ECO TM System are displayed in the 3-D Viewer using customizable colours. Devices are shown in their true geographical positions.

Marc Boudreau, BESTECH co-CEO; Sarah Paajanen, BESTECH project manager; and Cheryl Allen, Vale chief ventilation engineer/project manager. Photo provided by Vale.


“How did Abitibi Geophysics acquire exclu-sive rights to a break-through technology like the ARMIT sensor developed by Dr. James Macnae and his team at RMIT Uni-versity in Melbourne, Australia?” That is a frequent question. The answer is simple—Abitibi Geophysics is very passionate and dedicated to innovation that can help our cli-ents improve their exploration effectiveness.

The initial demand for improved B-field technology came from the nickel explora-tion companies in Ontario. Measuring the B-field at low base frequencies allows the capture of long time-constant decays as-sociated with highly conductive nickel sul-phides. Deposits are harder to find, there-fore our clients have been requesting tools to explore deeper and in more difficult envi-ronments, which requires higher sensitivity equipment. The SQUID sensors currently available to measure B-field require complex logistics and are heavy and cumbersome to use on a routine basis.

ARMIT, a break-through in TDEM sensor technology

Serendipitously, Pierre Ber-ube and I had the opportunity to discuss research of mutual interest with Dr. Macnae as we enjoyed cold, free-flowing beer in the Abitibi Geophysics booth at the 2010 PDAC. Dr. Macnae

predicted that with modern electronics, some of the early low-noise B-field sen-sor designs could be updated to have com-parable specifications to SQUIDS, as was being attempted in the medical and space industries. This discussion did not end at the PDAC; it continued for many months by email and phone until Abitibi Geophys-ics had an agreement with RMIT University whereby Dr. Macnae and his team would develop, for the exclusive use of Abitibi Geo-physics, a “better than SQUID” B-field and dB/dt TDEM sensor based on a perfect con-ductor, nano-engineered technology.

Defining the specifications for the sen-sor before it was built was a philosophical challenge. We agreed that the specifications should be as stringent as possible because the objective was a sensor that would be bet-ter than a High Temperature (HT) SQUID, as there was little value in “almost as good” technology. The sensor specifications called for quantitative femtotesla B-field data with a noise envelope lower than HT SQUID. In addition to the high sensitivity and low

noise envelope we had a myriad of practical requirements, such as: field-worthiness at ambient temperatures from -40OC to +50OC; 24-hour battery life between charging; self-orienting so that the operator does not have to level the sensor; minimize weight; maxi-mize portability; SMARTem 24 compatibil-ity; and of course, inexpensive to manufac-ture. Dr. Macnae was most empathetic on the practical requirements that would make the operator’s life easier and improve pro-duction without surrendering a femtotesla of data quality. His early years in the swamps of Northern Ontario were not wasted; they gave him a deep appreciation for developing practical solutions for field use.

Within one year, Dr. Macnae produced a prototype that was ready for field trials. He took the ARMIT Prototype 1 to a “sensor shootout” in Delta, Utah which was a rigor-ous comparison of sensors organized in 2011 by Terry Ritchie (GRS Pty Ltd.) with scien-tific input from Frank Morrison and John Kingman. The graph titled “Sensor Noise Envelope Comparison” by Dr. Macnae shows the noise envelope of the ARMIT Prototype 1 sensor field results (dashed blue line) com-pared to the response characteristics of other B-field sensors. Following this field test a new core was installed in the ARMIT sen-sor, which was tested in the RMIT laboratory (solid blue line). By comparison, the ARMIT

By Roman Wasylechko Abitibi Geophysics Inc.

The ARMIT B-field sensor—easy-to-use and better than HT SQUID.

Comparative X-component over Caber deposit.

Fall/Winter 2012 11

sensor has a lower noise envelope and higher sensitivity than a fluxgate sensor and the LANDTEMTM high-temperature SQUID. A newer DC-coupled HTS SQUID was not available for the test; however, it is reported to be a cumbersome and logistically more awkward device to use in the field.

Abitibi Geophysics conducted a field test over the Caber deposit in the Matagami re-gion of Quebec to compare the ARMIT B-field data with a Geonics 3D3 air-core coil sensor. (Note that the B-field data is reversed polarity to the dB/dt.) The data were obtained as a series of consecutive readings at coinci-dent sensor stations using the same SMAR-Tem receiver, a 300m by 300m transmitter loop, 30 Hz base frequency, and the same

power output. The ARMIT B-field clearly shows a late-channel anomaly centered over the axis of the Caber mineralization with an early-channel response over the conductive overburden. By contrast, the 3D3 response over the mineralization is masked by the ef-fect of the conductive overburden. Caber is a small target of about 500,000 tonnes at a depth of 135 metres and is a weak conductor since the mineralization is primarily poorly-conducting sphalerite (11.7% Zn, 0.97% Cu, 14.4 g/t Ag). Dr. Macnae commented: “The ARMIT sensor has higher sensitivity; result is lower noise on the late channels.”

In the end, the ARMIT development by Dr. Macnae at RMIT University was a suc-cess. The ARMIT B-field prototype met the

design specifications and has a lower noise envelope than the LANDTEMTM SQUID sensor over the bandwidth of interest. The field trials have proven that it is reliable, ro-bust and easy-to-use without the hassle of transporting helium or nitrogen to remote field camps. The advantages of measuring the B-field over dB/dt are discussed in great-er detail by Michael W. Asten and Andrew C. Duncan.1 The capability to differentiate be-tween mineralization and overburden with a B-field sensor is only one of the advantages presented by the authors. The results we ob-served over the Caber deposit are consistent with their findings.

The applications for the ARMIT B-field sensor are very broad as it operates between 0.1Hz and 10kHz. The low base frequency is ideal for detecting highly conductive nickel sulphides. The low noise envelope makes it suitable to explore deeper for all types of conductors (poorly-conducting zinc to highly conducting nickel sulphides).

The next development our clients are anxious to test is scheduled to come out of Dr. Macnae’s laboratory in a few months: the ARMIT B-field borehole sensor. Contact the author for updates: [email protected].

REFERENCE:1.Michael W. Asten and Andrew C. Duncan. Geophysics: Volume 77, Number 4: July-August 2012: The quantitative advantages of using B-field sensors in time-domain EM measurement for mineral exploration and unexploded ordnance search.


Don’t miss 81st AnnuAL PDAC International Convention, trade show & Investor Exchange

By Lisa Fattori

Preparations for the 2013 PDAC International Conven-tion, Trade Show and Investors Exchange are well-under-way, with exciting venues and activities planned for this year’s event. Held from March 3rd – 6th, 2013, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the PDAC is a must-see, pro-viding the world’s mineral industry with the opportunity to meet over 1,000 exhibitors, as well as more than 30,000 attendees from 125 countries. Show visitors can also at-tend technical sessions and short courses, and have the opportunity to socialize and network at several events.

For the 81st annual PDAC, attendees have access to 400 trade show and 600 investors-exchange exhibitors that include exploration and mining companies, drilling equipment and services companies, consultants, law firms, stock exchanges and more. Visitors can learn about the latest in satellite communications, software products and remote sensing and mapping technologies. The show and convention appeals to a wide range of people, including exploration and development professionals, geoscientists, mining service sector representatives, sales and marketing professionals, and students.

Fall/Winter 2012 13

Organized by the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export (CAMESE), the PDAC Innovation Forum gives trade-show exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their innovations. Presentations provide information about new products and services, exploration developments, discoveries, legislation changes, and recent technical or commercial successes. There is no charge for this opportu-nity and eligible presentations are promoted through advertising, sig-nage and listing in guides and programs that are distributed to conven-tion attendees.

The Core Shack is another popular PDAC venue, and gives partici-pants the opportunity to share with fellow explorers and developers exciting drilling, trenching and outcrop samples. Attendees can see po-tentially economic grades and widths associated with an emerging or potential resource from active mines, as well as re-activated mines and extensions or satellites to existing operations. There are two sessions planned for the Core Shack company displays, on March 3rd – 4th, and March 5th – 6th.

Other highlights of PDAC 2013 include the Corporate Presentation Forum for Investors and the presentation of policy and technical papers at the convention’s Open Session. From Monday, March 4th to Wednes-day, March 6th, there are special lunchtime events planned that include the Mineral Outlook Luncheon, International Panel Luncheon and the Student-Industry Networking Luncheon. At Wednesday’s Innovation Luncheon, Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Cham-ber of Commerce, will be the guest speaker. Beatty’s presentation, “How Canada has transformed its resources endowment into a global competi-tive advantage,” will focus on Canada’s innovation and competitiveness in the global market.

Evening functions include a welcome reception on Sunday, March 3rd in the Canadian Room at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The Awards Evening, Mining Night, and Gala events, all at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, give attendees the opportunity to mix and mingle at fun-filled events. PDAC 2013 will also include the Sixth Annual PDAC-Caracle Cup Hockey Tournament at Canlan Ice Sports on Saturday, March 2nd. Throughout the day, spectators can cheer on 16 sponsored teams, each vying for the prestigious Caracle Cup.

Those interested in learning more about PDAC 2013 can visit www.pdac.ca. Find out about the latest news, show highlights and registration information. The website provides a wealth of information for show ex-hibitors and attendees, including shuttle service and a listing of available accommodations at local hotels.

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This editorial follows up on the discussion of the success of the Soil Gas Hydrocarbon geochemistry (SGH) in the spring 2012 is-sue of the Ontario Mineral Exploration Re-view. This year we have witnessed explora-tion activities shrink and be postponed as budgets are tightened. SGH was discussed as providing reduced costs in sampling pro-grams as more samples can be obtained per day, as well as providing an information-

undercover investigation

Part II: InnovationBy Dale Sutherland

rich data set to aid in selecting drill targets with the confidence that stems from foren-sic science. SGH has been proven to have unique capabilities that can help overcome landscape challenges in Ontario and the far north.

A new innovative technique has been introduced this year: Organo-Sulphur Geochemistry (OSG) has been developed and tested for a wide variety of targets. To

discover mineral targets under cover both SGH and OSG, use the same technology as used in certain Olympic drug testing.

Bacteria are ubiquitous and utilize the in-organic elements in mineralization to help synthesize the hydrocarbons they need to grow. At the end of their life cycle, bacteria decompose and their organic hydrocarbons retain a signature of the specific food type or ore. These hydrocarbons and the newly detected organo-sulphur compounds sub-sequently migrate vertically through the overburden and can be captured by near surface sampling. Both SGH and OSG use a forensic method of identification to vector to the source of the mineral signature. The number of SGH signatures that have been defined is extensive and already OSG sig-natures have also been defined for copper, gold, nickel, uranium, Cu-Ni-PGE, VMS, Cu-Au-Porphyry, and kimberlite as well as that for coal seams.

At this time of budget tightening, it is valuable to know that both SGH and OSG can be used on samples that have already been collected and stored. This adds value to the sampling program already complete and can provide additional exploration evidence at low cost and in a very timely manner.

These techniques are very sensitive to the detection of redox conditions that often vector to reduced features that may rep-resent mineralization. Redox cells, or “re-duced chimneys” over ore bodies and other reduced features, can have very strong re-dox gradients both horizontally and verti-cally. According to the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS), these chemical processes occur throughout the entire sequence of cover materials to the surface and result in the development of an electrochemical cell. The SGH geochemistry is an “excellent redox cell locator” (Dr. Stewart Hamilton, 2009); in addition, both the SGH and OSG geochemistries use signatures that have

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Figure 2: The Organo Sulphur Geochemistry (OSG) helps define a drill target for consideration to investigate the presence of Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization in Ontario’s Timmins Camp.

been developed to also help discriminate between mineralization and barren con-ductors or barren magnetic targets using the hydrocarbon signature detected.

Both of these deep penetrating geo-chemistries provide clear and often dra-matic symmetrical anomalies. Their ability to vector to mineralization, like the “bulls-eye” on a dartboard, provides more confi-dent drill targets thus reducing costs. Over 90 per cent of the mining companies that

investigate SGH with orientation studies over known targets have found SGH to be effective.

Figure 1 illustrates a clear SGH anomaly in the signature for Cu-Ni-PGE mineral-ization in Ontario’s Timmins Camp. Figure 2 illustrates the corresponding OSG results from the analysis of the same samples. The OSG anomaly is a highly symmetrical nest-ed halo that together with SGH provides additional and precise targeting for drill

testing. OSG will provide another level of

specificity and powerful vectoring to en-

able even more confident and economical

drilling program planning.

About the Author:

Dale Sutherland can be reached at Activa-

tion Laboratories Ltd. via email: dalesuther-

[email protected]. 1348 Sandhill Drive,

Ancaster, Ontario, Canada L9G 4V5.

Figure 1: Soil Gas Hydrocarbons detects part of the signature for Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization in this SGH Pathfinder Class map.


As part of the 2012 budget, the federal government has completely overhauled environmental assessment in Canada. The repeal and re-enactment of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (“CEAA”) and amendments to other federal environmental legisla-tion amounts to the most significant change in federal environ-mental assessment (“EA”) since the legislation was first created decades ago.

These amendments are clearly aimed increasing investment in extractive industries by encouraging certainty, reducing regulatory duplication and shortening delays. The implications of these changes are vast and their full impact on the mining industry, particularly in Ontario, will not be known for years to come.

Over the next few weeks, the FMC Mining Group will analyze and comment on the proposed amendments and their impact on envi-ronmental assessments related to mining in Ontario. These com-mentaries will of course take into consideration the recent changes to Ontario’s Mining Act, Far North Act and Aboriginal consultation requirements.

Canada’s new Environmental Assessment regime:what miners need to know

Though complex, the amendments will have three major impacts:1. Federal EAs will be more limited in scope and will apply to fewer

projects.2. More discretion for the Minister of the Environment and Cabinet

in the EA process. 3. Huge transfer of EA responsibilities to the provinces.

In this first article, we provide a general overview of the proposed amendments relevant to miners. Future articles will discuss particu-lar subjects in detail including public participation, Aboriginal con-sultation, broad changes to the Fisheries Act, and harmonization with provincial environmental assessment processes.

ProjECts rEquIrIng an EnvIronmEntaL assEssmEntThe former list of federal actions that trigger a formal environ-

mental assessment (usually a permit) has been eliminated. EAs are only required if the project is designated by regulation. This change should make it much clearer which projects require an environmen-tal assessment. However, this may also be a basis of future risk since any subsequent government could amend the list of projects requir-ing an EA without seeking Parliamentary approval.

Activities that are “incidental” to designated projects (possibly road access, transmission lines, air strips, etc.) must also be covered by the EA. Since what is “incidental” to a project is not defined by CEAA, this may become the subject of much debate in the future.

Who ConDuCts thE EnvIronmEntaL assEssmEnt?If mining projects are included in the list of projects designated

as requiring a federal EA, conducting the EA will be the responsibil-ity of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency or a review panel established by the Minister of the Environment (the “Minis-ter”). The exception here would be uranium mining projects. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will continue to have lead re-sponsibility for environmental assessment of uranium mines.

tyPEs of EnvIronmEntaL assEssmEnts anD tImELInEsThe CEAA amendments will eliminate the concept of comprehen-

sive study reports. There will now be only two levels of federal envi-ronmental assessment – “standard EAs” (similar to current screening level studies) and EAs performed by review panels. Standard EAs must be completed within 365 days, and review panels must com-plete their assessment within 24 months of receiving a complete environmental impact report from the proponent. Note that these timelines are not fixed but can be extended up to three months at the discretion of the Minister or indefinitely by Cabinet.

Public participation in a review panel hearing will be limited to those “directly affected” or who have relevant expertise. Non-govern-

By David Hunter, Nalin Sahni and George McKibbon

Fall/Winter 2012 17

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mental organizations seeking to intervene in EAs may find it difficult to obtain standing to participate in review panel proceedings. This could substantially shorten EA timelines.

harmonIzatIon WIth ProvInCIaL

EnvIronmEntaL assEssmEntsThe new CEAA is trying to move towards a “one project, one re-

view” system. The federal EA process for standard EAs can be re-placed by a provincial EA if the Minister is of the opinion that the provincial environmental assessment act would be an “appropriate substitute” and the province requests the substitution. Panel reviews cannot be substituted by a provincial process but the new CEAA continues to allow for a joint federal-provincial panel review.

The provincial EA process does not have to match the rigor of the federal assessment though, at a minimum, the same factors must be considered. The Minister can also approve the substitu-tion of a provincial EA after a provincial EA has been completed. It would appear that all current federal-provincial harmonization agreements will have to be rewritten from scratch. Given that these agreements have typically taken years to negotiate, achieving a true a “one project, one review” system may take a considerable period of time. Eventually, however, these changes could remove unneces-sary duplication in EAs.

sCoPE of EnvIronmEntaL assEssmEntsThe purpose of CEAA has been significantly altered. Formerly, the

purpose was to ensure that projects did not have significant adverse

environmental effects that could not be justified. This purpose has been reduced such that projects should not have significant adverse environmental effects only upon the components of the environment within federal jurisdiction. This could generate debate and uncer-tainty in the process as to the types of effects covered by federal EAs.

Further, only enumerated environmental effects need to be taken into account. Cabinet alone can add or remove a component of the natural environmental effect that must be assessed. Coupled with the changes to the Fisheries Act to focus on the protection of commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries, this means that many mining projects may no longer require federal EAs and may be primarily governed by provincial EA processes. The definition of what consti-tutes a commercial, recreation or Aboriginal fishery should also be expected to be the subject of future debate.

While the scope and purpose of federal assessments has generally been narrowed, the assessment of environmental effects on Aborigi-nal peoples has been given increased focus. These amendments may be especially significant when combined with the proposed amend-ments to Ontario’s Mining Act regulations and the new requirements under the Far North Act. FMC will prepare a commentary devoted entirely to this subject.

About the Authors: David Hunter and Nalin Sahni are lawyers with Fraser Milner Casgrain

LLP: www.fmc-law.com. George McKibbon is an environmental planner with McKibbon Wakefield Inc.: www.mckibbonwakefield.com.


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For all his accomplishments, Michel Blais is a modest man.

In 1979, at the age of 29, he and two in-vestment partners started BMH Systems in St-Leonard, a community in Montreal’s east end. He could have never predicted, at that age, that his Quebec-based company would go on to ship and build concrete batch plants more than halfway around the world.

The twin central-mix plants sent to the Freeport mine in Papua were some of the company’s biggest challenges to date.

“It had to be designed and shipped in about 35 containers, and had to be installed in an underground mine,” Blais says. “It was a real challenge, and I think we did quite a good job.”

But the Papua concrete batch plant cer-tainly isn’t the biggest plant BMH Systems has shipped—the company just recently shipped two concrete batch plants in 80 trailers and containers for a project off the coast of Newfoundland.

Blais says BMH Systems has been suc-cessful in getting a loyal customer base in North America since its founding in 1979—he says the company enjoys a 75 per

By Tracey Jarvis

cent repeat customer rate. But with con-struction opportunities around the world getting underway, he states the company is setting its sights overseas.

“Right now, our challenge is to develop new markets,” Blais says. “We’ve been very successful in North America, so we’re aim-ing for new opportunities, particularly in the Middle East.”

He thinks the ongoing construction boom some Middle Eastern countries like the United Arab Emirates are experiencing is a perfect fit for BMH Systems.

Blais grew up on a small farm east of Quebec City, studying first in the town of La Pocatière. After graduating in 1973 from the University of Sherbrooke in Que-bec’s Eastern Townships with a degree in mechanical engineering, Blais was offered a job by the Heltzel agent in Montreal. He says working there provided him with ample training opportunities in the United States and helped train him in designing and building equipment.

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Since 1979, BMH Systems has striven to reduce waste. Aside from being able to provide clients with a virtually dust-free concrete batch plant, the company has also developed in the past decade, a paste backfill technology for mines to dispose of mine-tailing surface contaminants in a less hazardous way.

Blais is also proud to note BMH Systems recycles leftover concrete and its compo-nents by separating water from aggregates from the concrete, ultimately reusing them in future batches. “We have very good equipment to recycle that,” he says.

BMH Systems has worked on mining projects for some time now. The company provided equipment such as paste backfill plants to Xstrata in Ontario and Coeur Alaska at the Kensington gold mine, and also provided paste backfill mixing systems to Barrick Gold Strike in Nevada and to Diavik Diamond in Yellowknife. The com-pany has its own engineering team, provid-ing pricing estimates, plans and technical drawings as well as transport, installation and commissioning services of its plants and equipment, among other things.

The company is, since 1990, headquar-tered in Boucherville, on the south shore of the greater Montreal region—just across the St. Lawrence River from where he first set up BMH Systems. With over 30 years of experience now, the corporation has prov-en itself in the concrete industry and the BMH team wishes to continue working on large-scale projects. Complex projects are very stimulating for BMH’s workforces and their will to meet challenges has helped be-come their key to success through time.

Reclaimer system. Mobile plant. The Papua concrete batch plant certainly isn’t the big-gest plant BMH Systems has shipped – the company just recently shipped two concrete batch plants in 80 trailers and containers for a project off the coast of Newfoundland.

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And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fireThe ring of fireOn January 11, 1964, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash became the number one record on Billboard’s new Country Album Chart. The collection featured some of Cash’s best material and its title track would become the biggest hit of the “Man in Black’s” career. The al-bum, however, was more than a one-hit wonder. Several of its songs would also climb the charts and connect with listeners worldwide. For example, Cash rewrote what became the iconic television score for Bonanza, but its central messages remained the same—the pur-suit of fortune, and the thrills of striking it rich. In the anti-war classic The Big Battle, Cash’s social conscience is front-and-centre, as is the old adage that a fight is not over until it’s over. (There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me) concludes the album. Its message is one of hope and possibility, rising from the ashes of conflict.

With the 50th anniversary of the Ring of Fire album release around the corner and the 10-year commemoration of Cash’s passing next year, it is timely that the Northern Ontario geological discovery that bears the album’s name is front-page news today. It is also fitting that the universal themes of hope, desire, war and peace that define the album can be used as framework for understanding the Ring of Fire mining developments, as well as the motivations of First Nations, industry, government and environmental groups with vested interests in the region today.

rIng of fIrE “Bound by wild desire, I fell into a ring of fire.”

About 540 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, in the river-laden terrain of the James Bay Lowlands, sits a mining exploration area nicknamed the “Ring of Fire”. Five industry men have been credited with the discovery, including Richard Nemis and John Harvey, veteran prospecting oracles and life-long Johnny Cash aficionados who named the region over dinner one evening. The Ring of Fire is remote—about 300 kilometres from the nearest railway line and the closest road seem-ingly light-years away. Area infrastructure is practically non-existent.

Speculation is that the mining region contains a rich mix of cop-per, zinc, nickel, iron, gold, magnesium, platinum and kimberlite. One element not listed has been the centre of hope and even controversy—chromite. If estimates are correct, the area is thought to have the richest deposits of chromite in the world. Currently South Africa, Kazakhstan and India account for more than 80 per cent of global production of chromite ore. Chromite is not an expensive commodity—it currently trades at about C$1.50 per pound. Nonetheless, China and India have an insatiable hunger for it. It is also the key ingredient in stainless steel, the status symbol and must-have kitchen covering amongst homeown-ers who covet its durability and aesthetic quality. Stainless steel is not just for the style-savvy, it is also a major component in construction and transportation materials for which there is currently no substitute.

Bonanza “We chased lady luck, ‘til we finally struck Bonanza…. With a houseful of friends where the rainbow ends, how rich can a fellow be?”

too hot to handle? Northern Ontario’s Ring of FireDescribed by analysts as the most promising mining development

in Ontario in over a century, the Ring of Fire has generated more buzz than any other Canadian mining boom in years. While figures vary, Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines estimates that the value of the area’s known chromite reserves could be worth as much as C$50 billion during its lifespan. It is more difficult to gauge the com-bined value for all the commodities still in early stages of exploration in the region, but according to mining consultant, freelance journalist and blogger Stan Sudol, deposits could exceed C$1 trillion.

The potential for the chromite find is clear, but it is only that—po-tential—until construction begins. Ontario’s governing Liberals have made no secret that they want to see the reserves developed to usher in a new generation of prosperity for a province currently saddled with a job crisis and a C$19-billion deficit.

If industry activity in the region is any indication, then the financial prospects for the province are bright. The website for the Government of Ontario notes that, to date, roughly 30,000 claims have been established in the region, with close to 40 active mining and exploration companies undertaking work. Of these companies, (including the Toronto-based junior development company Noront Resources Ltd. which discovered a large chromite deposit in August, 2007), American diversified miner Cliffs Natural Resources stands out for its ambitious plans.

In May 2012, Cliffs announced a C$3.3-billion investment in a project that would include the construction of two open-pit mines, a tailings impoundment area, as well as ore and chromite processing facilities. The project also includes plans for cutting a 200-kilometre-long roadway through thick boreal forest to transport both materials and people in and out of the site. At the time of the announcement, Cliffs made it clear that a final decision on the project would depend on environmental assessment approvals, agreements with First Na-tions communities, addressing existing infrastructure concerns, and on the completion of commercial and technical feasibility studies. Initial project optimism was recently dampened somewhat when Cliffs announced it had extended chromite production timelines from 2015 to 2017 or later.

thE BIg BattLE “No son, the battle’s not over, the battle has only begun. The rest of the battle will cover this part that has blackened the sun.”

So far, intense exploration and staking activity in the Ring of Fire has proceeded in an old-school, open-season sort of fashion. The lack of regulation to date has led to industry confrontations with some First Na-tions who, among other issues, express concern over land claims, damage to land and river systems and the adverse effects on their traditional ways of life in an area covered by Treaty 9.

First Nations have been particularly vocal over what they consider in-adequate consultation and accommodation, charging that Canadian re-source companies and government agencies are disregarding their con-stitutionally entrenched right to be consulted in development projects that impact, or have the potential to impact, Aboriginal and treaty rights.

By Nathan Elliott

Fall/Winter 2012 21

Several First Nations leaders have sought, in different ways, to slow down the pace to activity in the Ring of Fire. In July 2012, six north-western Ontario First Nations issued a 30-day eviction notice to all companies with exploration and development camps in the region and threatened a peaceful blockade on the land to prevent operations from taking place. The same month, the Neskantaga First Nation filed a peti-tion with the Ontario Mining and Land Commissioner demanding to be thoroughly consulted before a 340-kilometre road is built through their traditional territory to gain access to a proposed chromite mine in the Attawapiskat River watershed.

Other First Nations have turned to courts to confirm their jurisdic-tional claims. Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), a remote north-ern Ontario First Nations community, recently won the first stage of a legal battle when the Ontario Superior Court ruled that no award of damages could compensate KI for losses of cultural values if develop-ment proposed by Platinex Inc. (exploring platinum deposits) were to occur. The Court granted KI an injunction, preventing the company from working KI’s traditional territory.

Not all First Nations affected by Ring of Fire development are de-termined to oppose development. During a recent annual meeting of chiefs, a delegate from the Marten Falls First Nation opposed a mora-torium and told the assembly that his community, situated on territory where most of the mining activity will take place, has already spoken to, and was working closely with, both Cliffs Natural Resources and the Ontario government to establish a framework to discuss appropriate strategies to move forward.

(thErE’LL BE) PEaCE In thE vaLLEy (for mE)“The bear will be gentle and the wolf will be tame. And the lion shall lay down with the lamb….”

The Ring of Fire is poised to become one of the largest mining hubs Canada has ever seen. The lands hold tremendous meaning and potential for industry, for government, for First Nations, and for all Canadians. This potential can only be realized through building last-ing relationships—relationships rooted in consultation (engaging early and often), rec-ognition of First Nation and Treaty rights, protection of the environment, and partici-pation of all stakeholders committed to prin-ciples of open dialogue and wealth sharing.

It is no secret that the current regulatory systems in place in the region are in need of modernization. Positive steps, however, are being taken. Federally, the government has allocated new money to increase con-sultations with First Nations in the area of resource development. Provincially, the gov-ernment has set up an administrative body, the Provincial Ring of Fire Secretariat, to handle matters related to mineral and infra-structure development, and to heighten en-gagement of First Nations leadership in the James Bay Lowlands.

If the prospects for development and the

resulting tensions in the Ring of Fire have taught any lesson, it is that most First Nations in the area are not opposed outright to resource de-velopment, but they do not want development to come at the expense of their people and of their homeland. In the past, the mining camps that helped define Northern Ontario were the result of haphazard plan-ning and inadequate government involvement. No longer are these ap-proaches tolerable.

The Ring of Fire has presented a transformative opportunity—to industry and to government obviously, but also to First Nations committed to improving their socio-economic conditions. Ontario’s north is far more than a direction on a compass. It is a magnetic pole attracting international business to traditional First Nations lands. Long-standing barriers to development (distance, isolation, improp-er consultation) remain; nevertheless there are signs that industry, government, environmental groups and First Nations are willing to look beyond past transgressions, and walk the line together towards a more prosperous future.

And it burns, burns, burns, the ring of fireThe ring of fireAbout the Author

Nathan Elliott is president of Insightwest Research, a research, corpo-rate strategy and legislative compliance firm focused on the energy and resource sector, based in Regina, Saskatchewan. He is founder and vice-president of the newly formed Insight Inkd, a firm dedicated to changing the way reports, press releases and advertising are conceptualized, under-stood and shared in the new information age. Elliott has recently been named director of business development for Haztech, a company provid-ing medical, safety, fire, rescue, security and training services to industrial worksites across Western Canada.

Elliott specializes in oil, gas, renewable energy, mining and health pol-icy, and is a regular commentator in the media on energy and resource development in Canada, particularly as it affects First Nations.


PrEfaCEAny time a bulk solid material is altered or moved, it must be as-

sumed that dust will be generated. Many times a dust cloud is visible; if a dust cloud is visible, there will also be non-visible respirable dust present. However, it cannot be assumed that there is no material be-ing emitted if there is no visible cloud.

When silica, limestone, cement, coal, aggregate and other respira-ble dust particles ranging in diameter from 0.1 to roughly 70 microns are airborne, they become an occupational nuisance. As a source of physical discomfort, lost materials and wear on conveying pulleys, idlers, belting and motors, such dust is a significant factor in lowered productivity and added operating costs.

Conveyor transfer points are a prime source for fugitive material, both as spillage and as airborne dust. Depending on a number of factors, including the nature of the material carried on the conveyor, the height of drop onto the belt, the speeds and angles of unloading and loading belts, systems to capture or control airborne dust may be required at conveyor transfer points.

The first consideration is whether the volume of dust generated can be reduced. Although it is unlikely that dust can be completely eliminated, a change in system design or production technique will minimize the amount of dust produced. The less energy released by the falling stream of materials at the impact area, the less energy is imparted into the material and the fewer dust particles/fines will be driven off. Consequently, it is best to design conveyor layouts with low material drops. Since this may not always be possible, dust sup-pression control systems must be employed.

An important consideration is the use of well-designed, enclosed chutes since material which is allowed to fall freely from one belt to another may allow a high concentration of dust to become airborne. In its simplest form, dust control may involve nothing more than at-tention to the enclosure of the transfer point chute or the use of water sprays to suppress the creation of dust.

IntroDuCtIonDust suppression is the application of water and/or chemicals, ei-

ther to the body of material to prevent fines from being carried off into the air, or to the air above the material to return fugitive air-borne fines to the material bed.

A significant advantage of dust suppression is that the material does not have to be handled again. The suppressed dust returns to the main body of conveyed material and the process without requir-ing additional material handling equipment.

There are a number of systems used for this purpose, ranging from “garden hose” technology, water and surfactant sprays, to foam and

A practical guide to dust suppression

fog generation systems. These various suppression technologies call for adding different volumes of moisture to the material. Figure 1 presents typical amounts of added moisture.

WatEr suPPrEssIonPerhaps the oldest method for controlling fugitive dust is the ap-

plication of water over the body of material. By wetting the fines, either as they lay in the material body or as they are being picked up into the air, the weight of each dust particle is increased so they are less likely to become airborne. The moisture also increases the cohe-sive force of the material body itself, creating larger, heavier groups of particles and making it more difficult for air movement to carry away the dust particles. This can be done by applying the water through a series of properly sized spray nozzles at a point where the material expands and takes in air, such as during discharge from the head drum in a transfer chute.

Water can also be applied to create a “curtain” around a transfer point, so any dust fines that become airborne come into contact with the water sprays surrounding the open area around the chute. The water droplets are expected to make contact with the dust fines, in-creasing their mass to remove them from the air stream.

The most effective sprays come from low-velocity systems. High-velocity sprays can add energy to the air and the dust particles. This energy is counterproductive to the task of keeping (or returning) the dust with the material body. High-velocity air movement can keep dust particles in suspension.

Water-based suppression systems can become more sophisticated as the engineering moves beyond “garden hose” technology in efforts to improve results. The effectiveness of water spray systems is de-pendent on the velocity of applied water, the size of the nozzle’s ori-fice and the location of the spray nozzles. The techniques to improve plain water-spray dust suppression include a reduction of droplet

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size, an increase in droplet frequency, an increase of the droplet’s velocity, or a decrease in the droplet’s surface tension, making it easier to merge with dust particles.

The application of dust suppression water and/or chemicals at transfer points must be controlled automatically so that water is applied only when the conveyors are running and there is a mate-rial present. This can be accomplished with conveyor system inter-locks and other sensors.

Plain water-spray application systems are relatively simple to de-sign and operate, and water has only a minimal residual effect. Water is generally inexpensive, and is usually easy to obtain; it is safe for the environment and for workers who come into contact with it.

Dust suppression systems utilizing water are relatively simple systems that do not require the use of a costly elaborate enclosure or hoods. They are typically cheaper to install and use far less space than the dry collection systems. Changes can be made after startup with minimum expense and downtime. Unfortunately the applica-tion of water has several liabilities to be considered.

WIth WatEr, LEss Is morEA plain water spray may appear to be the most inexpensive form

of dust control available. The water is available almost free in many operations (such as mines), and it can be applied through low-technology systems.

But this cost justification can be a false equation. Many bulk sol-ids are hydrophobic; they have a high surface tension and are ad-

verse to combine with water. To achieve effective suppression, the amount of water is increased. Because the material does not mix well with water, there will be some particles that remain dry and others that become very wet, which can lead to material build-ups on chute walls, screens and conveyor belts.

When applying water to conveyor systems, a good axiom is “less is more”. For mineral handling in general, the addition of excess moisture prior to screening can cause material to adhere to a screen cloth, blinding the equipment. Excess water may pro-mote belt slippage and increase the possibility of wet (and hence sticky) fines accumulating within chutes and around the transfer points. The addition of moisture can cause material to stick to-gether, complicating the flow characteristics of the material be-ing conveyed.

Problems occurring in plain water dust suppression systems include the possibility of excess moisture in the material, which can downgrade future performance in power generation or other thermal processing. Specifically, excess water addition to coal and coke used for boiler fuel results in a BTU penalty, which can have a detrimental effect on utility heat rates. The more water added, the greater this penalty.

“Dry fog” being added to coal over a conveyor head drum.

uLtrasonIC Dry fog suPPrEssIon systEms

“Ultra-fine fog” fugitive dust suppression works like a combina-tion of a wet scrubber and a fabric filter. The generated ultra-fine fogging blanket acts like a fabric filter in that a dust particle cannot pass through it without colliding with a droplet. Since the droplet consists of water, the dust particle does become somewhat wet as in a true flooded scrubber. This phenomenon can be called “agglom-eration”; solving fugitive dust emission problems with ultra-fine water droplet atomization begins with the theory of agglomera-tion. Agglomeration can be defined as the gathering of mass into a larger mass, or cluster.

Agglomeration probability is greatly increased between bod-ies of similar size. The agglomeration of these bodies produces a large enough mass to cause settling. For example, a dust particle of five microns will continue to follow the air stream around a water droplet of 200 microns, therefore avoiding collision. With the dust particle and a water droplet of similar size, the air stream is not as great and collision occurs, causing agglomeration.

Please Recycle.

Fall/Winter 2012 25

Figure 5 shows the aerodynamics of what can happen when the water droplets are larger than the dust particle.

Fog suppression is one method to optimize the application of water to dusty materials. These systems use special ultrasonic nozzles to produce extremely small water droplets (10 microns or less) in a dispersed mist. These droplets mix and agglomerate with dust particles of similar size, with the resulting larger combined particles falling back to the material body. Compressed air passes through the nozzle’s inner bore through a convergent/divergent section at high velocities and expands into a resonator cavity where it is reflected back to complement and amplify the primary shock wave. The result is an intensified field of sonic energy focused be-tween the nozzle body and the resonator cap.

Any liquid capable of being pumped into the shock wave is vig-orously sheared into fine droplets by the acoustic field. Air bypass-ing the resonator carries the atomized droplets downstream in a soft plume shaped spray.

Ultrasonic atomizing nozzles operate at very low liquid pressures and have large orifices. The large orifices and low pressures virtu-ally eliminate orifice wear and prevent deterioration of the quality of atomization while greatly extending useful nozzle life. The plume leaving the fog system nozzles is so fine it will not freeze, but the water supply system itself can freeze if drain or heating elements are not provided.

Surface DiamondDrilling

www.northstardrilling.com

1186 Russel Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5N2Tel: 807-577-5399

Fax: 807-577-0558 | Cell: 807-627-1244Email: [email protected]

NORTHSTAR

DRILLINGLTD.


PLaCEmEnt anD PosItIon

of nozzLEs

The placement of the fogging nozzles is the most important aspect to producing effec-tive results with no wetting of material. The fog should be generated and contained in a properly designed shrouding. This eliminates dissipation due to wind and also produces the treatment time necessary to suppress the dust. The fog is generated above the dust problem area, not on the material. As the air-borne dust enters the confine, ultra-fine fog

agglomeration occurs and the dust is sup-pressed in situ.

A simple system schematic is shown in Figure 10. In this image, two spray bars are mounted on the covers. They are heat traced and insulated assemblies. The enclosure has a quick release cover, which makes it easy to service the nozzles as required. This picture also shows the regulator control cabinets which are used to regulate the air and water pressures, and would also include solenoid valves linked into the conveyor drives along

with the flex hoses used to connect the two fluids.

A general rule is that the height of the conveyor cover be approximately one metre above the product level on the belt and the cover length three times the belt speed (m/s). The basic principles involved for location of the nozzles are as follows:• Nozzle spray pattern must not directly im-pinge upon any surface.• Nozzles should be mounted in order to

maximize the ability to fill the shrouding.• The fog should avoid direct contact with the

material being suppressed.• Nozzles must be protected or shielded to

avoid damage from falling material.• Nozzles should be mounted to minimize

exposure to a heavy-laden dust air stream. This will void erosion of the nozzle compo-nents.

• Spray pattern of nozzles should be generat-ed so that all the fugitive dust emissions are forced to pass through the blanket of fog.

Pros anD Cons of fog anD

mIst systEms

Fog systems provide highly effective dust capture combined with economical capital and operating costs.

A well-designed fogging system can pro-vide excellent control of dust at the point of application without the need for chemical additives. This is especially important for processes such as wood-chip transport des-tined for fine paper-making. Many mills are very concerned over the application of any chemical that might negatively affect the pulp or degrade the quality of the finished paper.

Since fog systems only add water, they protect the integrity of the customer process. Total moisture addition to the bulk material can be realistically less than 0.1 per cent. This makes fog suppression systems attractive in industries that cannot tolerate excess mois-ture, such as cement and lime production.

Mains water is typically required for fog suppression systems, so filtration to remove suspended solids from the water supply is required. As high-pressure misting nozzles have very small orifices to produce drop-lets, the water used for this operation must be treated to be free of particulate and sus-

Fall/Winter 2012 27

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

pended solids. Nozzles can clog if the water treatment system is not serviced at required intervals.

Another consideration prior to choosing a fogging device is the air volume and veloc-ity at the open area surrounding the transfer point or chute. For truly effective perfor-mance, fog dust suppression systems require tight enclosure of the transfer point that min-imizes turbulent, high-velocity air movement through the system. Since the fog droplets are very small, both the fog droplets and the dust can be carried out of the treatment area onto surrounding equipment by high-velocity air exiting the chute.

This type of system works well where the area to be treated is not large. A potential

drawback of a fogging application is that treatment is site-specific. That is, dust control is achieved only at the point of application. Several fogging devices may be required for a conveyor system with multiple transfer points.

LoCatIon, LoCatIon, LoCatIon

In fog applications, the sites chosen for nozzle placement and suppressant delivery patterns are as important as the selection of material to be applied. Even the best designed program will fail if the suppressant material is not delivered to the correct location to al-low intimate mixing with the dust fines.

The success of the suppression effort relies on the proper mixing together of the mate-rial and the suppressant at the transfer point.

When applying dust control, whether the suppressant is simply water or a surfactant/water mix as a spray or foam, it is best to lo-cate the suppression system as close to the beginning of the transfer point as possible. That way, the forces of the moving material fold the suppressant into the material body as it moves through the transfer point.

For more information, please contact:PO Box 4, Val Caron, Ontario, P3N 1N6 Phone: (705) 805-1244 Mobile: (705) 929-6992Email: [email protected]

Note: This article has been specially adapted for the Ontario Mineral Exploration Review from a lengthier report on dust suppression.


Mining companies are striving to find faster, safer and more cost-efficient ways to build their permanent surface structures and in response, modular building companies have been designing and building very notable construction solutions using steel and con-crete building technology.

Single- or multi-storey mine dry buildings, administration facilities, operations centres, and sophisticated equipment enclosures can all be built off site under controlled condi-tions at the plant, and then transported to the mine site as much as 95 per cent complete, installed on foundations and commissioned. Building off site is a much faster process that improves on-site safety by significantly re-ducing site-related activities and disruption as compared to traditional methods.

a CasE stuDy: LEED goLD CErtIfIED

ProjECt for Xstrata nICkEL rIm

south mInE sItE BuILt By nrB

usIng PErmanEnt moDuLar

ConstruCtIon tEChnoLogy.In 2008, Xstrata Nickel, a leading devel-

oper of mineral resources around the world, contracted with NRB Inc., a leader in off-site permanent modular construction technology in Canada and the U.S., to design, build and commission a 60,000-square-foot adminis-tration/dry facility; the first LEED Gold cer-tified project for both companies in Canada, and one of the first-ever for the commercial modular construction industry.

Driven by the need for a much shorter con-

struction schedule and reduced impact from the hazards of on-site construction, Xstrata Nickel and their consultants explored the current trends and technology available with permanent modular construction. The deci-sion to switch project delivery methods from traditional “on-site” to modular “off-site” was reached when it became apparent that it was the only possible way to hit the critical com-pletion schedule just 10 months away. The off-site construction process could complete the project for the owner in less than half the time of conventional, all with considerably less on-site disruption and disturbance.

a “WhoLE BuILDIng” IntEgratED

aPProaChThe first and most critical step in this de-

sign-build LEED project was to bring togeth-er a team of highly qualified designers with the appropriate experiences. Led by NRB, the owner, building architect, and mechanical, electrical and structural engineers—along with an independent consultant special-izing in LEED design review and certifica-tion—worked together to define the integral strategies and designs needed to achieve the superior level of sustainability that would result in LEED Gold certification. From the initial kick-off workshop facilitated by the LEED consultant, through to the regularly scheduled design-review meetings and on to the building construction, installation and final commissioning, the project was very carefully choreographed. Each individual

design element was considered for its poten-tial impact on another, to ensure the highest possible level of whole building performance was achieved.

ProjECt PhasIngTo help minimize the amount of construc-

tion activity and related safety concerns on the mine site, the project was built, shipped and installed in three phases.

Phase 1 was the critical operations cen-tre—20,000 square feet of space that houses the electrical and mechanical repair shops, team, safety and meeting rooms, mine opera-tional control, lamp racks and tool room. It’s where the miners stop each day before and after their shifts to pick up or drop off equip-ment and to meet for their safety talks before descending into the mine.

Phase 2 was the “clean” locker/shower-room facility for 450 personnel. It is also the “dry” facility—a 20-foot-high room with hanging locker baskets that suspend miners’ work clothes in the air so powerful heaters can dry them. These drying requirements, along with the considerable hot water de-mands, presented challenges to the building designers who were targeting substantial en-ergy conservation.

Phase 3 was the two-storey administration area for all Xstrata Nickel staff and executive personnel. It is connected to the dry facility by a central atrium corridor open from the ground-floor up to a clerestory roof almost 30 feet above. Glass railings, retro-plated

Building off-site can simplify construction

Completed building (dotted lines show location of modular units). Phase 1.

Our off-site construction delivers in halfthe time of conventional methods.

To find out all your possibilities today, call 1-888-249-9194.Web: www.nrb-inc.comEmail: [email protected] Inc. 115 South Service Road W., P.O. Box 129, Grimsby, Ontario L3M 4G3 NRB (USA) Inc. 440 Wenger Drive, Ephrata, PA 17522

BUILD OFF-SITE.. . SIMPLIFY YOUR CONSTRUCTION

Sophistication, strength, speed and sustainability are the cornerstones of buildings by NRB. Designed to meet your exact needs from architectural expression to operational requirements, our advanced off-site building technology and project delivery method gives you the permanence and performance of conventional construction, but in half the time.

Building your project off-site in our controlled plant environment results in better waste management, less downtime and improved quality during construction. When an NRB building arrives at your site it is already up to 95% complete, significantly reducing on-site activity as well as vehicular traffic from material deliveries and workforce travel.

This results in a cleaner, safer construction site with minimal disruption to your business and the surrounding community.

At NRB, we continue to research and apply more sustainable building principles to our methods and materials. Whether you choose NRB modular construction simply as a faster, more eco-friendly way to build, or you are following the LEED roadmap to sustainable design, we can help you.

NRB works closely with you from design through to occupancy, for almost any type of commercial, institutional or industrial building application.

FROM CONCEPT... TO COMPLETION

Xstrata Nickel Rim South Project – 60,000 sq. ft. Administration/Dry modular facility built off-site by NRB, LEED Gold certified.

Specializing in the Mining Industry with permanent Mine Dry Facilities,Operations Centres and Administrative Offices.


concrete flooring and exposed ductwork throughout give a sense of expanse and ar-chitectural expression.

LEED goLD PoIntsThrough demanding design and quality

construction practices, Xstrata Nickel was able to capture 40 of the 41 points applied for, giving them LEED Gold certification. Some of the highlights include:• Sustainable sites – 5 points. This was

achieved through white reflective roof, pro-tection of the native forest surrounding the site and treatment of the storm and waste water on the site.

• Water-efficiency – 5 points. A cistern col-lects and stores rain-water runoff from the building roof and reuses it to flush toilets. This, combined with water reduction fix-tures used throughout the facility, pro-duced an overall savings in potable water of 37 per cent.

• Energy and atmosphere – 12 points. A num-ber of design features combined to produce an outstanding 62 per cent in energy sav-ings, giving Xstrata a full 10 points for en-ergy savings. Some of these characteristics included a spray-foam and well-insulated building envelope; high-performance win-dows; a hydronic heating system; reuse of heat recovered from clothes-drying exhaust air; reuse of heat recovered from hot water

drains; lighting controlled by occupancy sensors; and a high-efficiency condensing water heater.

• Materials and Resources – 6 points. Choos-ing construction and finish materials with a high recycled content gave the project 26 per cent recycled content, elevating it to an innovation point level. Sixteen per cent of the building materials were regionally extracted and manufactured, and 85 per cent of all waste generated at the site was di-verted from landfill. In addition, the NRB Building envelope qualified for the MR-cr.8 Durable Building Credit!

• Indoor Environmental Quality – 8 points. Constructing the building off-site in a controlled environment aided in achiev-ing superior levels of construction quality. All materials received at the NRB facility are stored and protected in the warehouse eliminating potential damage due to the elements. Careful measures were taken throughout the process to protect the build-ing ductwork, individual rooms and the workforce, from construction pollutants. Materials, adhesives, solvents, paints etc. were selected based on low to no VOC con-tent. The building design allowed for occu-pants to control lighting, thermostats and windows with building mechanical systems monitored to provide proper temperature and humidity conditions year round.

• Innovation and Design – 4 points. One particular highlight includes an interactive kiosk placed in the front entrance that pro-vides green building education so visitors and staff can learn more about sustainable construction, modular construction and the Nickel Rim South project. The Xstrata Nickel Rim project was com-

pleted in just 10 months from design devel-opment through to commissioning. Of that, only four months were actually spent work-ing on the busy mine site – a considerable re-duction in activity and time as compared to site built construction. In August 2010, the Xstrata Nickel Rim South project received its LEED Gold certification.

With permanent modular construction technology by NRB, there is no compromise to an owner’s or architect’s design preferenc-es or sustainability choices in building sci-ence, finishes or building operating systems. Structural steel post-and-beam construction, along with pre-poured concrete floors, offer strength, performance and complete design flexibility.

About NRB: Since 1979, NRB has demon-strated industry leadership and created client trust through innovative modular building design and construction. With full-service fa-cilities in Canada and the United States, NRB delivers industrial, commercial, institutional and retail buildings of impressive design, fin-ish, durability and performance that rival site-built construction for architectural detail and exceptional performance over time. For more information visit www.nrb-inc.com

About Xstrata: Xstrata is a global diversi-fied mining group listed on the London and Swiss stock exchanges, with its headquar-ters in Zug, Switzerland. Xstrata’s businesses maintain a meaningful position in seven major international commodity markets: cop-per, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel, vanadium and zinc, with a growing platinum group metals business, additional exposures to gold, cobalt, lead and silver, re-cycling facilities and a suite of global technol-ogy products, many of which are industry leaders. Xstrata’s operations and projects span 19 countries. For more information, visit www.xstrata.com.

Above: Phase 2. Right: Phase 3 installation. Atrium.

Fall/Winter 2012 31

Chemistry 101: the many faces of cyanide

Cyanide comes in many “flavours”, so to speak—not all of them palatable. This infamous compound has been linked to the deaths of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun; was the toxin served up in the very tragic Jonestown massacre; and has even been the speculated culprit in the death of Rasputin, the Russian “wizard” (and you thought chemistry was boring!).

In the mining industry, cyanide fre-quently plays a key role in extracting gold from low-grade ore (i.e., in concentra-tions typical of most viable gold deposits). Gold is a noble metal (recall high school chemistry?) and doesn’t dissolve in water; however, a neat trick discovered by Carl Scheele in 1783 pointed to the fact that gold will readily dissolve in aqueous solu-tions of cyanide. Cyanide reacts with gold to form coordination complexes which are water-soluble. The Scottish further refined this process in 1887 and the MacArthur-Forrest Process was developed, which is the basis for modern-day gold extraction. The method uses solutions of cyanide, in

the presence of oxygen, to extract/leach gold from ore. From there, gold can be re-covered from solution in a variety of ways (carbon-trapping, resin-trapping, electro-winning, etc.).

From a chemical perspective, cyanide compounds are pretty straightforward: cyanide refers to any chemical compound that contains the CN group, also known as the cyano group, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. There are numerous cyanide com-pounds. Inorganic cyanides are normally salts where the cyanide is typically the CN- anion. In many cases, similar to the gold-soluble compounds, coordination compounds are formed where the cyanide binds with the metal atom allowing it to be soluble. Organic cyanide compounds often have the cyano group bonded to an alkyl residue.

From an environmental and toxicologi-cal perspective, however, certain forms of cyanide can have extreme toxic effects and are therefore compounds of interest in

most environmental programs. Cyanide is generally classified in the following forms: Free Cyanide (FCN), Weak Acid Disso-ciable Cyanide (WAD), and Total Cyanide (TCN).

gEnEraL CyanIDE CLassIfICatIon

1. free Cyanide (fCn): This refers to the cyanide anion (CN-)

which, when bound to hydrogen, is a clear and extremely poisonous volatile liquid. The proportions of HCN and CN- in so-lution are determined by their equilibrium equation and are affected by pH. Free cya-nide appears in the Provincial Water Qual-ity Objectives at a limit of five µg/L. It is also the cyanide compound of interest in the Ontario Drinking Water Standard at a Maximum Allowable Concentration of 0.2 mg/L.

2. WaD (Weak acid Dissociable)

Cyanide: In terms of environmental applications,

this is the most significant form of cyanide as it is toxicologically significant to eco-


logical systems. Why? WAD cyanide refers to those cyanide species liberated at a mod-erate pH (around 4.5)—conditions that are very likely to occur in natural or biological systems. WAD cyanide includes free cya-nides, simple cyanides, and weak acid dis-sociable metallocyanides such as zinc- and cadmium-cyanide complexes.

3. total Cyanide (tCn): TCN cyanide refers to the sum of all

forms of cyanides, including the free, non-

toxic and stable-iron cyanides. These cya-nides become liberated from their complex-es when hit with a strong acid.

To a much lesser degree, environmental investigations may also consider cyanate (CNO) and thiocyanate (CNS). However, these compounds are much less toxic than some of the cyanide compounds and con-sequently are not as commonly monitored in site or process assessments. Cyanate and thiocyanate are often measured when levels of WAD and TCN cyanide appear elevated.

LaBoratory anaLysIs of

CyanIDE: BEst PraCtICEsAnalytical challenges associated with

the measurement of cyanide include the fact that cyanide frequently complexes with metals and this can cause signifi-cant data interferences, particularly with sulfur-bearing compounds. Traditionally, analytical methods sought to remove all interferences by increasing the pH and distilling the sample prior to analyzing for WAD and TCN cyanide as a means to reduce this interference. However, distil-lation itself can create new analytical chal-lenges and the U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency (EPA) recently acknowledged that if sulphite or thiosulphite are present, the heat applied during distillation can actually enhance the interferences. Fur-thermore, distillation produces false posi-tives in samples containing thiocyanate and nitrate, whereby thiocyanate causes a positive bias when nitrate is present and a negative bias when nitrate is absent.

In light of this, Testmark Laboratories has conducted several bench-level studies in this regard and is adopting a U.S. EPA-approved analytical method which uses ligand exchange instead of distillation. Results are found to be less fraught with interferences and are more compatible with the chemistry apparent in water from mining operations.

Given the different states of cyanide,the general rule for data is to expect

Free CN < WAD CN < TCNKeep in mind, nevertheless, that all data has standard allowable error associated with it and therefore slight deviations from the above are expected at times. Errors as-sociated with sampling can also greatly af-fect data quality.

Best practices for sampling cyanide compounds indicate that samples should be kept refrigerated and in the dark, as photolysis of iron-cyanide complexes can produce free cyanide in samples after they are taken. Preservation is also critical, with best practice being to immediately pre-serve with sodium hydroxide. The hold time for cyanide without preservation is extremely short—24 hours. The preserved hold time under MISA is seven days.

OUR

DEDICATION

IS YOUR

ADVANTAGE

Fall/Winter 2012 33

The Ontario mineral exploration market has another weapon in the drive toward total quality advancement: the commitment of Accurassay Laboratories to eliminate sample process uncertainties through automation.

Accurassay has already been a process leader through the use of mechanized pulverizer systems, which now number 12 HP M1500 mill and magazine combinations. Furthering this advancement of laboratory process automation, Accurassay is pleased to announce the commissioning of its new automated crushing unit at the Ac-curassay main lab in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This state-of-the-art system utilizes four Boyd crushers in a Herzog-IMP automated infrastructure to deliver the highest quality in sample preparation specifications. Clients can expect industry-leading homogeneity of the end product and the elimination of manual processing variances. This system is the first of its kind in the Americas, and Accurassay is pleased to bring such technology leadership to the community of Thunder Bay.

The lab is welcoming tours during any regular operating hours, and will arrange for large group orientations as well as individual drop-ins. Susan Schmitz, the lab’s customer service manager, can always be contacted at the main lab number: 807-626-1630.

Accurassay Laboratories, a Canadian-owned and operated ana-

lytical services company, has been providing mineral assay services since 1987. The company meets the requirements for NP 43101 re-porting by virtue of its accreditation with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) to ISO 17025 requirements. Through a focus on qual-ity and operational excellence, Accurassay provides industry-leading turn-around time and service reliability at a fair price to the mining and mineral exploration industry. The key markets served by Accu-rassay include exploration and mining for gold and PGEs, base met-als (ranging from common commodities as copper and zinc to the rare earths), and the whole rock oxides including iron and chromite. Through standard industry methods such as fire assay to the latest in fused bead and XRF technology, Accurassay has all of the tools for a complete geochemical analysis.

As 2013 approaches, customers can expect to see MORE from Ac-curassay to support their needs.

morE vaLuEAccurassay currently offers its customers a range of service ele-

ments that deliver value, such as:• Competitive “all-in” pricing (supplies, shipping, prep, analyses and

reporting);• Advanced internal and external QC programs to ensure data reliability;

Accurassay Laboratories Ltd. Fast, ISO-certified Analysis for:

Gold and PGEs

Copper, Zinc and other Base Metals Iron, Chrome and other Oxides

www.accurassay.com

Accurassay Labs bringing new service and value in 2013


• Three-dimensional bar-coding programs to improve sample track-ing and administration;

• Production of customized reference materials for specific projects.

morE CaPaCIty

Accurassay has once again completed an advanced expansion of its high-capacity laboratory, based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This facility uses reliable and ISO/EIC 17025 accredited methods includ-ing fire assay, ICP and AA. As of January 2013, the effective capacity of Accurassay will have grown by over 150 per cent since 2009. All customers stand to benefit in real terms: meeting your expectations for high-quality results in a fast turn-around time.

morE CovEragE

Accurassay’s Rouyn-Noranda facility has moved to a new location

as of December 1st to enable further expansion of instrumentation and service capabilities to the Quebec market. The company also has an ideally-located sample prep facility in the northern Labrador re-gion; Accurassay’s on-site lab at TATA Steel Minerals Canada is open to third-party samples. With facilities in Thunder Bay, Timmins, Sud-bury, Rouyn, Gambo and now near to Schefferville, Accurassay has a Canadian location to manage your logistics and provide support.

From project to project, Accurassay’s wide range of service ele-ments can include expedited turn-around time, ore-grade analytical support, simplified all-in-one program pricing, the development of local sample prep facilities or mine labs, and access to on-line sample status information and results through the Internet via Acculink. For fast, accredited test results at competitive pricing, look to Accurassay as your service partner.

Canadian winters may not be what they used to be, with global cli-matic changes bringing in warmer and shorter winter seasons.

Explorers working on or over ice on lakes and rivers have new chal-lenges ahead of them to keep projects moving effectively and safely in the Canadian Shield.

When your ice does not measure up, you can rely on Big Ice Flood Pumps to thicken the ice to meet your design capacity requirements.

This purpose-build axial-flow pump has proven itself in many lo-cations in the world’s northern hemispheres. In Arctic temperatures, water will freeze in a conventional pump’s impeller case in minutes, re-sulting in permanent damage –whereas Big Ice pumps are designed to self-prime and drain, thus maximizing flooding operational uptime.

An international scientific consortium has a large logistical problem. When their 80-ton core drill arrived on location, north of the Arctic Circle in eastern Siberia, scientists realised that they would not have enough natural lake ice to safely commence drilling opera-tions.

Big Ice Flood pumps were chosen and deployed to build the pad ice up to the design specifications, keeping the project on track to assure completion of this costly project in one winter season.

NWT mining company requires a large air lift of mining sup-plies in a very remote region. The mining company’s only economic option was to choose a nearby lake to facilitate a 5,000-foot ice runway in order to receive the exploration supplies. Big Ice Flood Pumps were requisitioned and flooding operations commenced to build up the ice to the necessary capacity needs to support a Hercules C-130 transport aircraft with a landing weight of 130,000 pounds touching down at over 115 mph.

Big Ice Flood Pumps will measure up to your task of building ice to maximize the safety of men and equipment, while completing your next winter’s exploration project.

How does your ice measure up?C-130 on ice runway in NWT.

Fall/Winter 2012 35

Mineral exploration in the north of Ontario has given many small- to medium-sized businesses the opportunity to offer ser-vices in their own backyard. Hearst Air Service Ltd. is one of those companies that has grown with industry demand and is eager for more. Hearst, as a region, is a full-service community with expertise in trades, service and industry needs. The area has hosted projects for mining, forestry, tourism and research. Entrepreneurs have worked hard together to meet all expecta-tions, and change is welcomed by all.

Hearst Air Service Ltd. offers air transportation to the most remote parts of Northern Ontario. With a fleet of DeHavil-land aircraft such as a Turbo Otter, Turbo Beaver, Beaver and a newly acquired Cessna Caravan, this air support team is an asset to all successful ventures. Aircraft maintenance is done on site and this factory has helped establish a quality standard like no other; to be able to tend to aircraft issues, maintenance or preventative maintenance on-site is priceless.

The key to a successful remote job is a strong support sys-tem. Hearst Air’s team works diligently to provide supplies and equipment needed. Local businesses are available around-the-clock for equipment repairs and servicing for quick turn-arounds and return to camps. Drilling equipment needs to run efficiently 24-hours per day and having quick access to parts and service is imperative. Hearst Air’s support ensures drill-ers are supplied as needed, and other subcontractors (such as helicopter companies) are also well-supported by Hearst Air. Inventory is managed at base for rods, casing, parts and lu-bricants. Hearst Air manages crew changes, parts and mainte-nance crews to help eliminate ferry costs and other costly de-lays. Hearst Air has also had the pleasure of working with a new expediter of food service, which operates a quality supply of groceries packed as per camp standards to facilitate transporta-tion and handling once it has arrived at camp.

Whether your company has a need for special work boots, hardware, personal items for staff or custom fabrication from the welding shop, Hearst Air Service Ltd. is the best company to provide you with the service needed for remote fly-in locations in the north of Ontario.

For more information, call toll-free 1-866-844-5700 or visit Hearst Air online: www.hearstair.com.

HEArst AIr sErvICE LtD.Providing mining companies with the services they need for remote fly-in to Northern Ontario

The key to a successful remote job is a strong support system. Hearst Air’s team works diligently to provide supplies and equipment needed. Local businesses are available around-the-clock for equipment repairs and servicing for quick turnarounds and return to camps.

• 4 season air charter • inventory management • logistical support • bulk drum hauls • expediting services

call now toll free 1-866-844-5700 [email protected] www.hearstair.com

Hearst Ontario HWY 11N ~ ideally located for Far North Programs

Air Charter and Logistics with Hearst Air Service Ltd.

C-208 DHC-3T DHC-2T DHC-2


anaLytICaL quaLIty ControL

As members of a service department, managers of a mine-site lab should not only monitor their own quality, they should also expect their customers to do the same. In a perfect world, these internal and external systems would complement each other. In practice, however, they seldom do. Disputes and conflicts often arise and instead of il-luminating, the different systems produce more heat than light.

sourCEs of Error In anaLytICaL

ChEmIstry

All analytical measurements are subject to error. We can group these errors into gross errors, systematic errors and random errors.

Lab quality control versus mine quality controlWhy they are so often in conflict, suggestions to improve both

Gross ErrorsExamples of gross errors include misla-

beling of samples, spilling solutions and use of incorrect reagents. While gross errors are sometimes difficult to detect, it is of the ut-most importance to identify and document when they do occur, and to exclude them from further statistical treatment. Failure to do so may invalidate all subsequent con-clusions. It is also important to realize that gross errors may occur anywhere in the analysis train, from sampling to final result. As such, it is conceivable that the source of error lies outside the laboratory (e.g., mix-up of samples). It is important for both the submitting department and the lab to put in place systems to identify these types of

errors. An example of such a system is a double-split, where the mine and the lab each take a routine split and send to an outside lab for check. Analysis of such data can help guarantee the integrity of the sample chain.

Systematic and Random ErrorsSystematic errors give rise to bias. Once

identified and measured, a correction can be applied to the final result. Random er-rors (which should be normally distrib-uted) can also be treated by statistics to enable quantification of the measurement uncertainty.

Fit-for-PurposeA quality control (QC) program should

provide confidence that:1. Gross errors are documented and elimi-

nated.2. Systematic errors (bias) are measured

and corrected.3. Random errors (precision) are mea-

sured and incorporated into a measure of the dispersion (e.g. standard devia-tion); or in the more general case where this is impractical, into an estimate of the uncertainty associated with the re-sult.

The client should determine (in con-junction with the lab) whether or not the data is fit for purpose and, if not, whether the extra cost involved in making it so can be justified. It may be better to change the process, or the assumptions underly-ing the data model, rather than increase the cost of the analysis. Without adequate

Figure 3.Figure 1. Figure 2.

Fall/Winter 2012 37

information about the uncertainty asso-ciated with measurements however, no determination can be made.

Samples in a Mine-site LabIn a mine lab, one size does not fit all.

Requirements for precision and bias vary from client to client and sample type to sample type. In particular, many clients put an inordinate emphasis on preci-sion, often demanding unrealistic and unwarranted levels. Figure 3 shows typi-cal samples processed in a mine-site lab. Take, for example, a waste-dump sam-pling program. If the mean grade is at or near the ore cutoff, the presence of even a small bias in the analysis can have disas-trous consequences. By contrast, a lower precision on individual assays may be quite acceptable. It therefore makes little sense for the client to demand, for exam-ple, multiple replicates on each aliquot.

Steps Toward Reconciling Mine and Lab QC Systems:1. Don’t pre-judge QC data. No “voodoo

statistics”.2. Recognize (and remind clients) that

the aim of quality control is to ensure data is fit for purpose, not to find the “true” value of a sample.

3. Remember that the analysis chain (and associated errors) begins at the time the sample is taken and ends when the final result is produced.

4. Use tools such as twin-stream analy-sis to isolate and analyze variance.

5. Estimate and report measurement uncertainty.

‘BrItE’ BuILDInG soLutIons by BrItEsPAn Building systemsBRITESPAN Building Systems has you cov-ered! Based in Ontario, Canada, BRITES-PAN Building Systems is a premier Canadian manufacturer and distributor of fabric-cov-ered buildings with an extensive dealer net-work across Canada and the U.S. With over 17 years experience in the fabric building industry, we have supplied and constructed

over 5,000 fabric-covered structures for sev-eral different applications including mining, municipal, aggregate, warehousing and ag-ricultural. We have constructed buildings as small as 19-feet-wide by 30-feet-long, and as large as 160-feet wide by 937-feet long. From big to small, we can cover it all.

Our product offers ranges in widths from

In a mine lab, one

size does not fit all.

Requirements for

precision and bias

vary from client to

client and sample type

to sample type


19 feet to 160 feet, to any length required. Custom widths and designs are available for special applications. Our free-span design allows for optimal storage space. Some of our building models can achieve an interior 50-foot height in the centre of the building. This allows for trucks to enter the building and dump directly inside, eliminating time and labour moving materials in and out of the building. Also, the fabric cover provides great lighting and eliminates the need for costly electrical installations and operation. This creates a safe working environment for your employees. The building seems bright, even on the cloudiest of days!

BRITESPAN has three different building models to choose from. The Atlas Series is an arch building available in widths from 19-feet to 82-feet wide. Our Genesis Series is a rounded-peak building that is available in widths from 60-feet wide to 160-feet wide; the Epic Building, which has an A-line pitch roof, is available in widths from 60 feet to 160 feet as well. You can check out our profiles online to see what building model best suits your building needs.

Our buildings can be customized to meet specific requirements including special door requirements, conveyor systems, internal liners, insulating heating and more. The unique design of our structures allows for cost-effective and reduced installation times. Many different foundations can be used in-cluding poured walls, sea containers, cement blocks, floating slabs and grade beams. Most buildings can be easily relocated or we can extend the building if required.

CSA/A660 certified, BRITESPAN Build-ings are engineered to meet and exceed the site-specific wind, snow and rain loads. BRITESPAN Building Systems can help you with your fabric-covered building project from start to finish. Our qualified deal-ers and building consultants have years of experience and can recommend the right

building solution for your building needs. BRITESPAN can consult with you regard-

ing:• Foundations• Cover replacements for ANY type of fabric

building• Capacity calculations• Bid specifications• Dismantling buildings• Service or repairs• Yearly maintenance inspections

BRITESPAN Building Systems recently opened their new 25,000-square-foot manu-facturing facility. The new plant is a fabric-covered, steel-framed building—just as BRITESPAN sells to its own customers. The facility includes a combination of new equip-ment and existing equipment and new spe-cial proprietary equipment. The most impor-tant aspect is to double our manufacturing space and make BRITESPAN more efficient in all aspects of manufacturing.

To get started on your next building proj-ect, contact BRITESPAN Building System today. We’re not here to sell you a building; we are here to help you build one.

For more information, visit us online at www.britespanbuildings.com.

As a global designer, manufacturer and dis-tributor of drilling tools and equipment, Fordia has established itself as a strong play-er in the global industry. The 35-year-old company has approximately 300 employees in Canada and around the world. It already has offices on every continent and distribu-tors in as many as 30 countries.

One of the recent product developments, the new OWL Self-Lock Head Assembly for underground coring, was just released. This new head travels faster within the drill string due to reduced drag and can be more safely engaged in the outer tube, thereby saving precious uptime at every run and providing drillers with a safer working environment. For companies drilling in both surface and underground conditions, this head also fea-tures another critical time-saving opportu-

nity. A very simple conversion allows the drilling company to switch a conventional OWL Self-Lock head into an underground one; just two minutes are enough to change the pumping assembly.

In 2012, Fordia also added to its popular HEROTM series with a brand-new HEROTM 9 designed for very hard ground rated be-tween 6 and 7.5 on the Moh’s scale. It stands out from the competition thanks to its lon-ger lifespan and impressive penetration rate, which allow it to drill faster and longer. The HEROTM 9 is ideal for drilling through plutonic and volcanic rocks, such as gran-ite or syenite, or similar rock formations. The HEROTM 9 is available in diamond im-pregnation heights of 13 mm and 16 mm to further increase the metres drilled. Dozens of tests with numerous drilling companies

across multiple sites have demonstrated that the HEROTM 9 has a lifespan at least 50 per cent longer than the average competition and can save up to 120 hours of pulling time in deep hole.

To add to its global solution offering, Fordia also launched a core orientation sys-tem, CorientR. This robust mechanic tool does not require batteries or calibration. For customers, that means fewer worries on drill sites or in the field. Furthermore, the CorientR now also permits the orientation of a 20-foot core barrel. It is a simple and efficient process that allows the savings of both time and money.

For more information about Fordia, visit the new website www.fordia.com and regis-ter to access privileged information such as technical videos and content.

Fordia innovates again

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Documents

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review - Fall/Winter 2012