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CONTENTS|CONTENU CIM MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2013 | FÉVRIER 2013
TOOLS OF THE TRADE 10
Gear and gadgets Compiled by H. Mathisen
NEWS 16 24
Industry at a glance The art of the deal Juniors and financiers lay out their strategies for PDAC 2013 by E. Moore
26 28 30
Miners huddle over northern puddles Bill C-45 leaves muddled definition of “navigable” and other key terms by Z. Macintosh New tech not sexy Investors repelled by unproven technologies at Mines and Money London by A. Reitman All-in on gold cost reporting New metrics from Goldcorp, Yamana set to woo shareholders and discourage taxes by K. Lagowski
24 COLUMNS 32 34 36 38
MAC Economic commentary New taxation measures threaten Canadian junior miners by P. Gratton Eye on business Assessing Canada’s new approach to foreign investment by SOEs by M. Katz HR Outlook A collaborative approach to Aboriginal education by M. Sturk Standards Geophysical logs useful for reporting potash exploration results by D. Mackintosh
UPFRONT 40 42 46
They have it covered Decades of layered innovation in Onaping by E. Moore Thiosulphate
going
commercial
Barrick’s Goldstrike pushes research forward on cyanide alternative by P. Braul Pollutant-hungry wetlands Patience key to future of passive water treatment by H. Mathisen
50
50 4 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Tailings truth-teller Closure expert and blogger extraordinaire Jack Caldwell on leaving a legacy by P. Braul
004-005 TOC_Layout 1 2013-01-31 5:52 PM Page 5
CIM COMMUNITY 90
Remapping CIM Proposed district restructuring designed to strengthen ties between branches and CIM national Restructuration de l’ICM La restructuration des districts consolidera les liens entre les sections locales et le bureau national de l’ICM by/par D. Zeldin
94
All things mining under one roof Québec Mines 2012 gets warm reception
Tout sur les mines, sous le même toit 96 97 98
52
Un accueil chaleureux pour Québec Mines 2012 by/par A. Castonguay It all starts with a culture Safety and reliability symposium highlights the importance of training and awareness by W. Gleason Multi-dimensional man Underground Mining Society Award winner Charles Graham unites industry and academia by C. Baldwin Deep exploration Wayne Goodfellow unravels the mysteries of SEDEX deposits by A. Lopez-Pacheco
99
Learning in the field B.C. industry connects with teachers through educational initiatives by S. R. Stenzel
FEATURE | ARTICLE VEDETTE 52 58
TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS
The incentive to explore Modern surveying campaigns drive greenfield exploration in Canada by D. Zlotnikov La motivation d'explorer Les levés géologiques moderne appui à l’exploration des zones vertes au Canada
102 103
CIM Journal Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly
IN EVERY ISSUE
61
6 8 104 106
Editor’s message President’s notes / Mot du président Professional directory Mining Lore by D.A. Patton
TECHNOLOGY | GEOSCIENCE 61
Deeper understanding Innovations in geophysics and geochemistry extend the reach of mineral explorers by Z. Macintosh
65 CIM CONVENTION 2013
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM PROGRAMME PRÉLIMINAIRE MAY 5 TO 8, 2013 . 5 AU 8 MAI 2013 Metro Toronto Convention Centre | Palais des congrès du Toronto métropolitain February 2013 | 5
006-006 Editor_004-004 Editor 2013-01-31 5:53 PM Page 6
editor’s letter
Editor-in-chief Ryan Bergen, rbergen@cim.org Executive editor Angela Hamlyn, ahamlyn@cim.org Managing editor Andrea Nichiporuk, anichiporuk@cim.org
Growing plans
Section editors Features: Ryan Bergen, rbergen@cim.org News and Upfront: Peter Braul, pbraul@cim.org Columns, CIM Community, Histories and Technical Section:
Dinah Zeldin, dzeldin@cim.org
his issue represents the beginning of another editorial cycle for CIM Magazine. Some things have changed: former editor-in-chief Angela Hamlyn is now channelling her enviable talents to the role of director of communications, while I take on the responsibilities of the magazine; we have added the Technology section, highlighting innovations and novel applications in a specific field; and in 2013 we will publish nine issues, dividing the September/October issue into two distinct editions. The February issue also marks a return. Andrea Nichiporuk, a 16-year CIM veteran has, after a year of maternity leave, taken the job of managing editor, and has been quick to flex both her organizational and managerial muscles. For evidence, I direct you to the finely tuned preliminary program for the 2013 CIM Convention on page 65. In anticipation of the annual PDAC convention, we put special focus on the exploration and development sector with our feature story, “The incentive to explore,” in which Dan Zlotnikov looks at the technical and regulatory initiatives that are, or could be, catalysts for exploration. In our new Technology section, Zoë Macintosh investigates the developments in geophysics and geochemistry that are helping the industry more accurately target economic mineral deposits in her story, “Deeper understanding.” As well, we have a pair of stories that examines the evolving courtship ritual between juniors and investors certain to be on display at PDAC 2013 in March. Our Upfront section centres on the twilight of mine life and features an interview with Jack Caldwell, a mining blogger, tailings expert and opera aficionado. Within an industry that is still struggling to find its voice, this consulting engineer is an accomplished tenor. When I began writing for CIM Magazine, I had no mining background, but Angela provided an encouraging word, helped point me in the right direction and kept sending stories my way. Four years later, though our job descriptions have changed, the ethic is essentially the same. However now, it is you, fine readers, who I trust will keep sending the stories our way.
T
Copy editor / Communications coordinator
Zoë Koulouris, zkoulouris@cim.org Web editor Nathan Hall, nhall@cim.org Editorial interns Herb Mathisen, hmathisen@cim.org Zoë Macintosh, zmacintosh@cim.org Maria Olaguera, molaguera@cim.org Contributors Correy Baldwin, Alain Castonguay, William Gleason, Pierre Gratton, Mark Katz, Krystyna Lagowski, Alexandra LopezPacheco, Dave Mackintosh, Eavan Moore, Donna Alice Patton, Anna Reitman, Sheila R. Stenzel, Melanie Sturk, Dan Zlotnikov Translations SDL Published 9 times a year by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum 1250 – 3500 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West Westmount, QC, H3Z 3C1 Tel.: 514.939.2710; Fax: 514.939.2714 www.cim.org; Email: magazine@cim.org Subscriptions Included in CIM membership ($170.00); Non-members (Canada), $220.00/yr (PE, MB, SK, AB, NT, NU, YT add $11.00 GST, BC add $26.40 HST, ON, NB, NL add $28.60 HST, QC add $32.95 GST + PST, NS add $33.00 HST) Non-Members USA and International: US$240.00/year Single copies, $25.00. Advertising Sales Dovetail Communications Inc. 30 East Beaver Creek Rd., Ste. 202 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1J2 Tel.: 905.886.6640; Fax: 905.886.6615; www.dvtail.com National Account Executives 905.886.6641 Janet Jeffery, jjeffery@dvtail.com, ext. 329 Neal Young, nyoung@dvtail.com, ext. 325
This issue’s cover Prosperity Goldfields geologist Jason Menzies maps a trench in Yukon. Photo by Marlin Olynyk; for more examples of his work, visit marlinolynyk.com. Layout and design by Clò Communications Inc. www.clocommunications.com
Ryan Bergen, Editor-in-chief editor@cim.org @Ryan_at_CIM_Mag
6 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Copyright©2013. All rights reserved. ISSN 1718-4177. Publications Mail No. 09786. Postage paid at CPA Saint-Laurent, QC. Dépôt légal: Bibliothèque nationale du Québec. The Institute, as a body, is not responsible for statements made or opinions advanced either in articles or in any discussion appearing in its publications.
Printed in Canada
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008-008 Pres Notes v3_pres notes 2013-01-31 5:54 PM Page 8
president’s notes | mot du président
Seize the day Welcome to the new year and a fresh start for all. The U.S. fiscal cliff has been avoided and its economy continues to improve, traffic on the St. Lawrence Seaway – a bellwether for economic activity – increased by around four per cent in 2012. Overseas, China’s new leadership is focused on increasing GDP growth. All this bodes well for our industry. In November, CIM partnered with Quebec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles to host Québec Mines in Quebec City. The program included a successful M4S event and the opportunity to celebrate the efforts of James Hewitt, president and CEO of Hewitt Equipment, for his positive influence on both his profession and the community. Hewitt has been a leader in the heavy mining equipment business and a strong CIM supporter for years. In January, I attended the Mining Hall of Fame event in Toronto where four new members were inducted: Charles Fipke, Gerald Grandey, James O’Rourke and Pierre Lassonde. What an inspiration these people provide for the current crop of young leaders in our industry! I paraphrase Pierre
Lassonde’s stated philosophy for success: “Some may call it serendipity, but I call it preparation, meeting opportunity and, most importantly, seizing the moment.” I urge you to submit nominations for the CIM-Bedford Canadian Young Mining Leaders Awards that will be given out at the Awards Gala during the 2013 CIM Convention in Toronto. The highly recommended CIM Leadership Development Course is also taking applications for the next cohort. Companies seeking to develop promising employees or individuals looking to advance their careers can find more information on the program in the News & Events section of CIM.org. I also want to encourage you to read the article on page 90 that describes the proposed CIM District structure designed to strengthen ties between branches and the CIM executive and national office staff, and to better coordinate the development of national and international events. Finally, we will launch the effort to set the strategic direction for CIM’s next 10 years at the CIM Convention in May. The broad participation of all our members and stakeholders in this important process is essential to our future success.
Terence Bowles, CIM President
Profitez de l’occasion J’aimerais d’abord souhaiter à tous une bonne année et du renouveau. Les États-Unis ont évité le mur budgétaire et l’économie du pays continue de se relever; la circulation sur la voie maritime du SaintLaurent – un indicateur d’activité économique – a augmenté d’environ 4 % en 2012. À l’étranger, le nouveau leadership de la Chine est déterminé à accélérer la croissance de son PIB. Tous ces signes sont de bon augure pour notre industrie. En novembre, l’ICM s’est associé au ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec pour organiser le congrès Québec Mines à Québec. Le programme comprenait la populaire exposition éducative M4S et a permis de rendre hommage à James Hewitt, président et chef de la direction de Hewitt Équipement, pour l’influence positive qu’il a sur la profession et la communauté. M. Hewitt est un chef de file dans le domaine de l’équipement minier lourd et un ardent partisan de l’ICM depuis de nombreuses années. En janvier, j’ai assisté à la cérémonie du Mining Hall of Fame à Toronto, où quatre nouveaux membres sont entrés au panthéon de l’exploitation minière : Charles Fipke, Gerald Grandey, James O’Rourke et Pierre Lassonde. Ces hommes sont une source d’inspiration immense pour les jeunes chefs de file actuels de notre industrie! Pour paraphraser la philosophie du succès de Pierre Lassonde : « Certains emploient le terme fortuité, mais je préfère parler de préparation, d’opportunité et, surtout, de carpe diem. »
8 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Je vous encourage à poser des candidatures pour le prix CIMBedford Canadian Young Mining Leaders Awards qui sera décerné lors du gala de remise des prix du congrès de l’ICM 2013 à Toronto. La période d’inscription au Programme de perfectionnement du leadership de l’ICM, chaudement recommandé, est en train pour la prochaine cohorte. Les entreprises désireuses d’offrir du perfectionnement à des employés prometteurs et les personnes qui veulent parfaire leurs compétences professionnelles pourront obtenir de plus amples renseignements sur le programme dans la section Nouvelles et événements du site CIM.org. J’aimerais également vous inviter à lire l’article de la page 90, qui propose une structure des districts de l’ICM, conçue pour renforcer les liens entre les sections et la direction de l’ICM et le personnel national; ainsi que pour mieux coordonner le développement des événements nationaux et internationaux. Enfin, au congrès de l’Institut, en mai, nous entreprendrons une initiative visant à décider de l’orientation stratégique de l’ICM pour les 10 prochaines années. Un taux de participation élevé de nos membres et des parties prenantes dans ce processus important est essentiel à notre réussite future.
Terence Bowles, Président de l’ICM
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010-015 Tools of the Trade v5_Layout 1 2013-01-31 5:54 PM Page 10
OF TOOLS THE TRADE
gear and gadgets
◢ Visual data mining
◢ Training for the real thing Virginia-based QinetiQ’s 360 Virtual Reality Training gives workers the chance to encounter dangerous situations and to train in non-scripted, interactive environments so they know how to react should they confront the real thing. Video projectors shoot three-dimensional images onto a customizable screen setup, arranged in 180-, 270- or 360-degree configurations, or even in a 12-metre-diameter dome shape. The space allows 10 to 12 users, including an instructor, to train together as a team. QinetiQ has developed a variety of training simulations, including mine rescue, mine inspection and underground coal mine firefighting programs. A customer’s mine site can be replicated, and the programs tailored to that environment, says Mark Nesselrode, technical director for modelling and simulation. The virtual environments come complete with smoke distortion effects and include details like transformers and power cables, which play important roles in real-life emergencies. Users are fully equipped during training sessions, and when cap lamps or charged hoses are activated, the resulting actions appear on screen. “Everything that would normally happen in that environment happens,” says Nesselrode. “If you don’t fight the fire correctly, the fire wins.” The simulations run on the Unity game engine.
Maptek’s Eureka software allows exploration geologists to combine a variety of data sources and formats onto one platform, so that they can get a fuller picture of their projects. The software can bring seismic, magnetic, geographic information systems, aerial survey and other geophysical data together and render it visually, alongside the project’s drill holes, to give users a view of the mineral deposit from all angles. Richard Diaz, a sales engineer with Maptek, says the software is especially useful for brownfield project developers, which might have access to historical datasets in different formats from as many as four or five junior companies that previously touched the project. “There isn’t really one package that we are aware of that lets you interpret all those sources at once,” Diaz says, adding that Eureka can import and display SEG-Y, Esri, CSV and DXF data formats. Coupled with Maptek’s ruggedized tablets, geologists can use Eureka to record data in the field. The software was also designed to provide on-thespot editing and includes feature-tracking tools.
◢ Hot lines By raising water temperature as much as 30 C, Ranger Mining Equipment Ltd.’s new Water Line Heater allows exploration drillers to work in cold weather without having to worry about lines freezing up. The heater uses 12V DC and 110V AC diesel burners or propane-fired burners, and operators can switch power sources in minutes. “Drillers like the option of being able to switch back between a diesel-fed burner and a propane-torch burner just in case a diesel burner fails or they’ve run out of propane,” says company president Adam Purves, adding that the diesel option is also useful when propane is limited on site. The product’s one-inch heater coil, which Purves says is larger than most other heaters, provides less back pressure and minimizes sediment buildup because the coil is nearly the same diameter as a typical oneinch diameter waterline. Once all the equipment is disconnected, water simply flows out when the heater is tilted. The heater comes with an emergency shutdown switch, a furnace bypass switch and a high-temperature shutdown sensor. As well, 16-inch foam-filled rubber tires can be mounted to the heavyduty, four-point lifting frame to improve transportability. 10 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
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010-015 Tools of the Trade v5_Layout 1 2013-01-31 5:54 PM Page 12
OF TOOLS THE TRADE
gear and gadgets
◢ Outsized capacity FLSmidth’s Raptor XL2000 cone crusher is more than twice the size of its predecessors – and that fact is clear when looking at its throughput capabilities. “Right now, it’s the largest cone crusher that is working in the world, to our knowledge,” says Fred Gross, the company’s global product director. He adds that the Raptor XL2000 is capable of crushing roughly 3,500 tonnes of material per hour. Weighing in at just over 400,000 kilograms, the 2,000-horsepower crusher is ideal for high-tonnage mines, and since it can take the place of multiple secondary or tertiary cone crushers, it reduces operating costs. “If you’re working on one crusher, it certainly is a cost savings compared with taking two or three crushers down for routine maintenance,” says Gross. With all major equipment components easily accessible, inspections and maintenance can be performed more efficiently too. Two Raptor XL2000s have recently been commissioned and are operating at a mine in Eastern Canada, Gross says.
◢ Mighty mucking RDH Mining Equipment’s Muckmaster 800D is a powerful, yet compact, underground mining loader designed to let users operate in tighter areas. “It’s a little bit more compact compared with the competition,” says Gustavo Portalier, the Alban, Ontario, company’s chief operating officer. The Muckmaster LHD machine has a 14,000-kilogram load capacity and comes equipped with a 350horsepower tier 4 engine for lower emissions and reduced fuel costs. The bucket is also customizable, with sizes ranging from 4.6 to 7.6 square metres, to adapt to the work required and the space available in the underground environment. Switching bucket sizes does not require any upgrading to the loader’s components, powertrain, axles or frame, as all bucket options were considered when designing the machine. Operator visibility and the turning radius were both increased in the Muckmaster 800D model. As well, the ride control system lessens the movement of the boom and bucket while driving over rough terrain to avoid spilling material.
12 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
◢ Inhuman help Reconnaissance and safety robots built by Naughton, Ontario’s Penguin Automated Systems Inc. can access areas deemed too risky for humans, making them ideal for mine rescue and surveillance work. The amphibious, electrically powered robots communicate with a command centre – and with each other – while also acting as telecommunications hubs during emergency or rescue operations. “One of the biggest things is that when you are doing mine rescue, you won’t put any more people at risk,” says Greg Baiden, the company’s founder and CEO. “The robots don’t really care whether it’s safe for people. They will operate in any environment.” The remote-operated robots, with their 680-kilogram carrying capacity, can haul vital equipment and supplies into remote or damaged mine areas and can even bring trapped workers out. Equipped with a multi-frequency radio system and a WiFi network, the robots can also get accurate geospatial mapping information underground to help determine, for instance, why a collapse may have occurred. They can take carbon monoxide level readings, detect other gases and check for fires in areas where communications have been cut off.
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010-015 Tools of the Trade v5_Layout 1 2013-01-31 5:54 PM Page 14
OF TOOLS THE TRADE
gear and gadgets
◢ In the clear Bel-Ray’s Clear Gear Lubricant reduces wear and makes inspections easier for open-gear systems like grinding mills, driers and other rotating equipment. Don Howard, who works in new product innovation for the New Jersey company’s mining division, says the lubricating film is applied via spray or through immersion and is thick enough to maintain complete separation of gear tooth surfaces. “When you have complete separation, no wear can occur,” he explains. In field trials, the lubricant was applied in a mill that had been in operation for 3,000 hours and had demonstrated a wear trend. Following application, temperatures were reduced by 12 per cent, vibration was eliminated and no progression of the wear trend was evident 4,000 hours later, according to Howard. Performing periodic gear inspections is also made simpler because customers can check for wear right through the clear lube film without having to clean the gears. Bel-Ray’s mediumand heavy-grade lubricants were recently approved by Outotec for use on its equipment, while Metso had previously approved the company’s light-, mediumand heavy-grade lubricants.
◢ Easing traffic congestion To improve communications at mining camps, Viva Networks helps companies do more with less bandwidth. Gilles Desmarais, president of Viva Networks, says reliable and effective communication networks at remote camps are important for staying in touch with the head office and also for workers’ morale and quality of life. The influx of new communications technologies, though, can cause bandwidth congestion issues. To solve this problem, Viva Networks has come up with an intelligent bandwidth management service which, Desmarais says, can increase network efficiency by 20 to 25 per cent. The company sits down with customers that use its satellite communication services to go over their bandwidth needs and priorities. Viva Networks then actively manages customer bandwidth usage either by traffic-shaping, to prioritize certain communication applications, or by load-balancing, to give every user fair access to bandwidth so certain users or actions do not tie up the network. The intelligent bandwidth service can eliminate the need for customers to upgrade bandwidth packages, says Desmarais, adding that even postponing an upgrade for two or three months translates into cost savings.
◢ Double crush Sandvik’s new Vibrocone crusher aims to take a bite out of energy costs for copper, gold and iron ore miners by finely crushing material in order to reduce grinding requirements later on. In the new crusher, material is both crushed between the liner walls and compressed against other material within the crushing chamber, resulting in a finer mill feed compared to conventional crushers. “The dual action crushing is a result of a free-moving main shaft, which is the major difference between conventional eccentric cone crushers and Vibrocone,” says Roger Olsson, product line manager with Sandvik. In terms of crushed material, 80 per cent passes 8 mm and 50 per cent passes 3 mm, where traditional crushers see 80 per cent pass 14 mm or 15 mm, says Olsson. The crusher can perform a pre-grind for ball mills and even eliminate the need for rod mills in a grinding circuit when it replaces existing tertiary crushers. As a result, customers can expect energy savings as high as 30 per cent, he says. “All mines that are using grinding in their downstream process could benefit from using Vibrocone.” Compiled by Herb Mathisen
14 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
010-015 Tools of the Trade v5_Layout 1 2013-01-31 5:54 PM Page 15
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016-023 Briefs v4_001-001 Cover 2013-01-31 6:09 PM Page 16
news | industry at a glance
Led by South Korean steelmaker Posco and Taiwan’s China Steel Corporation (CSC), a group of companies has agreed to purchase 15 per cent of ArcelorMittal Mines Canada for $1.1 billion. The deal includes iron ore offtake agreements for the new partners, relative to the companies’ stakes in the ArcelorMittal subsidiary. ArcelorMittal Mines Canada owns the MontWright and Fire Lake iron ore mines in the Labrador Trough and a pellet plant and port facilities in Port-Cartier, Quebec. ArcelorMittal, which will retain 85 per cent of its subsidiary, would not comment on the deal’s specifics, but the Luxembourg-based company has indicated that it plans to continue pursuing joint venture partnerships with key customers. It expects the deal to be finalized by the second quarter of 2013, since the Taiwanese government, which owns 20 per cent of CSC, must approve the acquisition.
Courtesy of ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal sells 15 per cent of Canadian subsidiary
ArcelorMittal has agreed to sell a 15 per cent stake of ArcelorMittal Mines Canada, which includes the Mont-Wright iron ore mine in Quebec, to a group of Asian companies.
– Herb Mathisen
Japanese firm to explore red mud for rare earths in Jamaica Japanese aluminum supplier Nippon Light Metals will construct a US$3-million pilot plant and will run a commercial
feasibility study on extracting rare earths from alumina waste known as red mud. The company has won approval from Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency for the project. Nippon has also applied for exclusive rights to explore for rare earths in three red mud ponds produced by alumina plants owned by Windalco, a joint venture of UC Rusal and the Government of Jamaica. Two are located in St. Catherine and the other is in Manchester, said Clinton Thompson, commissioner of mines in Jamaica. The company is the first in the world to apply for a rare earth exploration licence in Jamaica, Thompson added. Under a September 2012 memorandum of understanding, any volume of rare earth elements produced during the pilot would be shared jointly between Nippon Light Metals and the Jamaican Bauxite Institute. – Zoë Macintosh
Greenland legalizes temporary foreign workers Greenland’s Large Scale Act, passed last December, permits companies to import workers for construction projects that exceed labour market availability and cost more than $900 million. A deficiency in skilled construction workers, not mining workers, called for the legislation, said Ove Karl Berthelsen, Greenland’s minister for industry and mineral resources. He estimated that up to 3,000 workers a year would be required for the “construction phase alone” of the Isua iron mine near Nuuk. “If the project goes ahead, these workers may be sourced from international construction companies that would submit competitive bids for specific and specialized components that local construction companies would be unable to provide,” said Xiaogang Hu, director of London Mining, the company behind the iron mine. According to Berthelsen, around 700 Greenlandic nationals will be available for work as miners once the mine is built. 16 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
016-023 Briefs v4_001-001 Cover 2013-01-31 6:09 PM Page 17
© 2013 Caterpillar. All Rights Reser ved. CAT, CA ATERPILLAR, T their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
016-023 Briefs v4_001-001 Cover 2013-01-31 6:09 PM Page 18
While construction wages must not drop below Greenland’s minimum of about $14.50 per hour, employers may deduct up to $3 per hour for meals and accommodation, he added. Collective bargaining agreements in Greenland currently ensure construction workers much higher wages than this “political” minimum, said Catrine Søndergaard Byrne, senior associate with the Eversheds law firm in Copenhagen. However, for the temporary foreign workers, wages will be tied to collective bargaining agreements in the workers’ countries of origin, enabling employers to pay less than they would pay Greenlandic nationals. As Greenland is within the Kingdom of Denmark, the act awaits a March vote by the Danish Parliament before coming into effect. – Z.M.
Holdout state approves Keystone XL The government of Nebraska recently approved the rerouting of
Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
news | industry at a glance
The Keystone XL pipeline’s new route (red) requires about 30 additional miles of pipeline compared to the old one (black).
TransCanada’s Keystone pipeline, removing the last state-level obstacle to construction. TransCanada now only needs the U.S. Department of State to
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determine whether the cross-border pipeline would be in the United States’s interest. The company spent a year working with Nebraskan officials and with landowners, conducting air and ground surveys to provide an alternative to the originally planned passage through the state’s Sand Hill region. In November 2011, the U.S. Department of State ordered the company to revise plans in this area, due to the high concentration of wetlands and shallow groundwater. Last August, TransCanada submitted its application for the new route to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, which submitted its final report and approval to Governor Dave Heineman in early January of this year. Shawn Howard, a spokesperson for TransCanada, said over 9,000 workers can begin construction “within weeks,” if the company gets approval from the Department of State. “The only really new information that has to be looked at is the information added in Nebraska,” he said. “Everything in other states has been done.” – Z.M.
Baffinland puts off full-scale construction
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Citing difficulties associated with financing large projects, Baffinland is shelving plans to construct a railway connecting its proposed open pit mine on Baffin Island with a yet-to-be-built year-round port. The company asked the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) to amend its recently approved project certificate to allow a phased approach for developing the Mary River iron ore mine. ArcelorMittal and Iron Ore Holdings – each 50 per cent owners of Baffinland – want to move ahead with an initial “early revenue phase.” During that period, 3.5 million tonnes of ore per year would be stored and shipped using the existing Milne Inlet port during the 90-day ice-free season. The company still intends to eventually construct a 150-kilometre railway south to a Steensby Inlet port, from
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industry at a glance | news which it expects to ship at least 18 million tonnes per year. NIRB executive director Ryan Barry said the board requested public comment on the proposed amendments, which include expansions to the Milne Inlet port and road, until February 4. Barry said it is likely the board will decide that the project certificate needs to be re-opened, given the significant changes suggested by Baffinland. Re-openening of a certificate requires a public hearing and a technical review, with project approval again required from both the board and Canada’s Aboriginal affairs minister. – H.M.
New life for N.W.T.’s diamond cutting industry An agreement between the Northwest Territories’ government and Deepak International Ltd. gives the company access to rough diamonds
from N.W.T. mines and exclusive rights to the government-certified Canadian diamond trademark. Deepak Kumar, the company’s CEO, said the trademark is very important because consumers want to know where their diamonds come from to ensure they were mined responsibly. Through a monitoring arrangement, the territorial government can certify that diamonds were indeed mined, cut and polished in the Northwest Territories. Kumar said his family has been involved in diamond processing for generations, himself having run factories in India before immigrating to Canada. “If I did not have the experience, knowledge and the technical know-how, I would not put everything at stake, like I have,” he said. Kumar is finalizing the purchase of two government leases to house his operations, which he said could start up this spring. He also said his company
would employ 50 workers in Yellowknife, adding he intends to hire locally and to provide paid training opportunities to 15 northerners each year. Since 1999, five factories have processed diamonds in the Northwest Territories and, at its peak, the industry employed 155 workers. Today, HRA’s Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd., in operation since 2008, is the territory’s lone diamond processor. – H.M.
Colombian militants kidnap Braeval prospectors Political insurgents abducted five workers, including one Canadian, hired by Toronto-based Braeval, in a January 18 ambush at the junior’s Snow Mine exploration project in northern Colombia. Between 20 and 25 members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) con-
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news | industry at a glance ducted the kidnappings just days after Braeval released its 2013 exploration plan for the site. Of those kidnapped, one Canadian and two Colombians worked as employees and two were Peruvian consultants, said Chris Eby, a Braeval spokesperson. On the day of the kidnappings, a helicopter evacuated all 22
other Braeval staff from the Snow Mine property, he said. In a January 21 post on their website, ELN claimed responsibility for the incident and stated that 99 per cent of mining in Serrania de San Lucas goes to foreign companies. Colombian authorities have captured three of the ELN members involved, but the
hostages remained missing at press time. “The foremost concern of the company is the security and the wellbeing of its employees, and we are cooperating fully with the authorities in Colombia and with the Canadian government as well, in the hopes of bringing this situation to a safe conclusion for [all] involved,” said Eby, who declined to name the individuals. The project is currently abandoned. – Z.M.
Uranium One goes private Russian state-owned Armz, a subsidiary of Rosatom, has agreed to purchase all of the remaining shares of Uranium One, a publicly traded Canadian uranium producer, for $1.3 billion. Minority shareholders were offered $2.86 per share in a price Armz estimated to be 32 per cent higher than market value, as determined based on a 20-day period on the Toronto Stock Exchange prior to the January 14 announcement. Ken Williamson, chairman of a committee of independent Uranium One directors, called the premium “significant” and urged minority shareholders to approve the deal in a vote in March. Armz first gained a controlling stake in Uranium One in 2010, when it bought 51.4 per cent of the company’s common shares. All of Uranium One’s uranium mining projects are located outside of Canada. Armz and Uranium One already shared six uranium mining projects in Kazakhstan prior to the deal. If the March vote allows, Armz will acquire control of Uranium One’s wholly owned Willow Creek mine in Wyoming and the Honeymoon Uranium project in Australia. “Despite the uranium industry’s currently challenging outlook, Armz will continue with its strategy of developing Uranium One into the leading global uranium producer,” said Vadim Jivov, Armz’s chairman of the board. “The current market environment has changed, making a private vehicle more – Z.M. effective for achieving [this].” 20 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
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use of Earth’s natural resources As the global leader in minerals and metals processing technology, Outotec has developed over decades several breakthrough technologies. The company also offers innovative solutions for the chemical industry, industrial water treatment and the utilization of alternative energy sources. www.outotec.com
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news | industry at a glance $1.25M for open pit research announced An endowment of $1.25 million to Laurentian University from Iamgold will create the nation’s first industryfunded research chair in open pit mining. “[Hiring the chair] is going to be a monumental task because this is going
to be an international search,” said Ramesh Subramanian, director of Laurentian University’s Bharti School of Engineering. He aspires to select a person experienced in both academia and industry by July 1. The five-year, $250,000-a-year position will jump-start research in cost-reducing techniques in surface
mining life cycles, open pit design, mineral economics, resource estimation, optimization of drilling and blasting, and optimization of rock segmentation. While not directly involved in the hiring decision, Iamgold will have “first say” on intellectual property that results from the initiative. The company will likely grant researchers access to its operations worldwide, said Subramanian. – Z.M.
Two workers killed at Escobal mine in Guatemala Shortly after midnight on January 12, two contract security guards were killed in an attack at Tahoe Resources Inc.’s Escobal silver mine in Guatemala. Local media reported that power lines were severed and trees were cut down to block road access to the mine. Protests have briefly delayed work at Tahoe’s flagship mine in the last six months, but Ira Gostin, vice-president of investor relations, said this latest tragedy was much different. “Protests don’t occur in the wee hours of the morning with automatic weapons,” he said, adding that nothing suggested the attacks were related to previous protests. Tahoe is cooperating with a governmentled investigation into who was behind the attack. Security has been beefed up on site, and work at the mine has not been affected. “We are dealing with some morale issues, but everybody is focused on building a mine,” Gostin said, adding that construction at Escobal is 70 per cent complete. Tahoe Resources is awaiting a final exploitation licence for the mine, which was expected in 2012. According to Ron Clayton, Tahoe’s COO, the company received assurances from both the Guatemalan president and the minister of mines that the licence would be forthcoming. The mine is scheduled to start commercial production in early 2014. “We’re still on budget and on – H.M. schedule,” said Gostin. 22 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
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industry at a glance | news Tom Albanese out as Rio Tinto CEO Following a US$14-billion writedown of recently acquired assets, Rio Tinto’s Tom Albanese resigned from his position as CEO. Albanese had led the company since May 1, 2007. During his tenure, Rio Tinto acquired aluminum giant Alcan for US$38.1 billion in 2007 and later Riversdale Mining Ltd., with coal assets in Mozambique, in 2011. However, in recent years, Rio Tinto has had to take writedowns associated with these deals, which include an estimated US$10.5 billion devaluation of Rio Tinto Alcan and US$3 billion devaluation of its Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique business, announced last month. Sam Walsh, Rio Tinto’s iron ore and Australia chief executive, was appointed as Albanese’s replacement, effective January 17, 2013. Doug Ritchie, who led the acquisition of the Mozambique coal transaction, also stepped down. – H.M.
precedents in Canada, such as Coalspur’s Vista project, our best guess is that a mine could be in early commissioning by 2017.” The acquisition by Riversdale Resources closely follows Consol Energy’s US$105-million sale of the non-producing Scurry Ram and Ram River metallurgical coal properties to
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Albertan coal properties change hands Australia’s Riversdale Resources Limited has purchased 35,000 acres of coal assets in southern Alberta from Consol Energy and Devon Energy for US$49.5 million. Included among the leases is the Grassy Mountain project near Coleman, Alberta, which has a coal resource of 192 million tonnes and a reserve of 55 million tonnes, according to Riversdale. Riversdale will look to upgrade a previously completed study examining the feasibility of a two million tonnesper-annum operation at the primarily metallurgical Grassy Mountain project to determine if there is potential for a four million tonnes-per-annum mine. Riversdale managing director Steve Mallyon said the company would begin community engagement work in early February. While it would be difficult to predict a project timeline for Grassy Mountain before environmental and social impact studies are completed, Mallyon said, “Based on recent
Forbes & Manhattan Inc.’s Ram River Coal Corp. – H.M.
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The art of the deal Juniors and financiers lay out their strategies for PDAC 2013
Deep cuts in mining stock prices in 2012 will provide the backdrop for dealmaking at the March 2013 convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). But a poor market makes the convention all the more critical, according to PDAC executive director Ross Gallinger. “The networking and educational opportunities the PDAC convention offers gain importance as industry heads into a challenging period,” he said, pointing out sessions like “Financing in a Volatile Market” and “Risk and Reward in Mining Exploration and Development” on this year’s program. Junior companies, especially those with earlier stage projects, will likely spend their convention time hunting multiple sources for scarce financing. Marc-Antoine Audet, president and CEO of explorer Sama Resources, said he will meet with shareholders at the convention but anticipates the more fruitful meetings to be with other mining groups seeking to arrange private placements. “Individual shareholders are not the target at the moment,” he said. “They don’t have money.” Others are taking a slightly different approach. Natalia Sokolova, vicepresident of investor relations at Colt Resources Inc., said her company intends to demonstrate its strong positioning by introducing investors and companies to a key partner, the Government of Portugal, which will share a booth with Colt. Erich Rauguth, president and CEO of Klondike Gold Corp., hopes to develop more personal relationships, focusing on individual private investors. He noted, however, that any offer would be considered carefully. With financing tight, juniors need to be flexible in their approach. “We’re pursuing as many avenues as we can right now,” said Brad Leonard, exploration manager at Castle Resources Inc., which will appear at 24 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Courtesy of Klondike Gold Corp.
By Eavan Moore
Klondike Gold Corp.’s president and CEO, Erich Rauguth, will focus on individual private investors at PDAC to fund exploration at the company’s properties in Yukon (drill cores seen above) and British Columbia.
PDAC with a completed preliminary economic assessment for its brownfield copper site in British Columbia. Leonard asks that risk-averse investors take the time to differentiate between good risks and bad ones. “If investors became educated in what they’re looking at, that would eliminate a lot of the bad apples,” he said. “Monies could be funnelled into properties that actually deserve a chance to become something.” He believes both fund managers and their clients should be able to take a more active role in picking stocks. But that is easier said than done, according to Mike White, president of IBK Capital. “It’s becoming more and more difficult for your average retail investor in Canada to purchase one of these stocks or have access to these stocks through their broker,” he pointed out. “Today it’s all managed money.” Resource-focused Windermere Capital builds its portfolios on the basis of
mining expertise, and it will be taking advantage of undervalued stocks to bargain hunt at this year’s PDAC. “I’ve been doing this a long time,” said Brian Ostroff, the investment management group’s managing director. “Typically, within the first few questions, you can get a sense if a company’s got what we’re looking for: rocks, management, ability to properly finance or have access to financing, and the ability to tell the story. Most companies don’t have all those four pieces. What we like to see is a management team that is open to ideas to really incorporate all these components.” The storytelling component is critical, observed Denver Harris, vicepresident of capital markets at streaming company Sandstorm Gold Ltd. “What you often see at these conferences is hundreds of mining companies with very similar messaging,” he said. “In order to attract investment, it is important to identify how to separate yourself from the herd.”
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One way to appear different, as a junior or a major, is through transparency, according to White. He has witnessed intense frustration from European institutional investors. One fund manager, White reported, planned to turn his attention from overhead-heavy Canadian juniors to the Australian market. “Perhaps, at PDAC, these fund managers will be sharpening their pencils and asking more direct questions of some of these companies, in terms of where all the money’s going,” he remarked. Companies that reduce their overhead could also survive longer – and survival is in question for a large chunk of juniors. “The mood at PDAC is going to be very interesting,” Ostroff commented. “I think that there are a lot of companies that just aren’t going to show up. They don’t have the budget anymore.” “The outlook is very bleak,” Rauguth added. But, he pointed out, miners are optimistic by nature, and he believes the feeling at the PDAC convention will follow suit. CIM
ACHIEVEMENTS Caterpillar’s HR chief makes Top 10 list Kimberly Hauer, vice-president and chief human resources officer at Caterpillar, was named a Top 10 Breakaway Leader at the 2012 Global HR Leadership summit’s awards gala dinner. This honour is bestowed on individuals who are instrumental in engaging and developing the future’s global workforce. “Breakaway leadership is a state of mind that constantly considers the opportunities to add superior value to the business, and it’s such an honour to represent Caterpillar while receiving this award,” said Hauer. “The evolution of the HR community into a team that provides Caterpillar a global, competitive advantage with business-driven solutions makes me very proud.”
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Australia - Brazil - Canada - Chile - Peru - South Africa - UK - USA February 2013 | 25
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Miners huddle over northern puddles Bill C-45 leaves muddled definition of “navigable” and other key terms
Although Bill C-45, the omnibus bill approved by the Senate last December, overhauled the Navigable Waters Protection Act (now the Navigation Protection Act), it did not bring much clarity to those in the mining industry most affected by the legislation. The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) is pressing to address uncertainties – such as the definition of “navigable” – that carry over in Bill C-45, which could perpetuate unpredictable regulatory delays for mining companies. Those with projects in the northern Prairies and in Small, shallow bodies of water can often take up more area than land in Canada’s Far North. Currently, they are considered the territories are particu- “navigable” as long as they can float a canoe, which causes permitting headaches. larly concerned, as countless small water bodies, which may or may spent months dissecting the bill. In fact, confirmed its National Department, as not be considered navigable, speckle according to Laurie-Lean, in addition to well as its Prairie and Northern Region their landscapes. “navigable,” “dewatering” is a newly Department, are “working closely with “The problems we had before are ambiguous term in the legislation. It is the mining industry to clear up any going to continue,” said Justyna Laurietoo early to know exactly how the ambiguities.” Lean, vice-president of environment problem will be addressed, but a Avalon Rare Metals is one company and health for MAC, whose team has statement from Transport Canada that has a lot riding on these definitions,
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Courtesy of Nunavut / NWT Chamber of Mines
By Zoë Macintosh
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as its flagship Nechalacho property contains three bodies of water that it believes should not be considered “navigable.” According to Mark Wiseman, Avalon’s vice-president of sustainability, MAC members have been discussing clarifying terminology with Transport Canada. The next meeting will take place within two months and will touch on a number of suggested exclusions from the term “navigable.” While it is too late to change the wording of the law, collaboration between industry and Transport Canada on guidance documents could help create consistency in how the law is interpreted. “The key for us is that if your body of water is not considered ‘navigable,’ then that whole Navigation Protection Act approval process to use the ponds isn’t required,” Wiseman said. Last summer, a visit from the Department of Transport created a potential delay to his company’s project, which had already passed scrutiny from the local Aboriginal community, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment Canada for the use of the three shallow ponds as tailings impoundment areas. “It’s not often you get a circumstance where the First Nations are pushing for development, and government is pushing against it,” noted Donald Bubar, Avalon’s CEO. “That tells you something.” Located at the top of a watershed, Avalon’s three water bodies freeze to the bottom, have no fish in them, and following discussions on a number of tailings area options, were agreed upon as the optimal location for a tailings management site by Aboriginal groups and others for those very reasons, said Wiseman. The largest, Ring Lake, is 16.7 hectares in area, said Wiseman, while the other two were only 12 and two hectares, respectively. All bodies of water on Avalon’s property are being considered “navigable” by Transport
Canada because they can float a canoe – the organization’s historical benchmark for navigability. That classification means Avalon will require an order from the governor-in-council, an extra permit that Bubar estimates could take six months to a year to obtain. As a result, the Nechalacho project risks being delayed. But, Bubar said, that risk is a potential showstopper for mining investment because it cannot be quantified. The way the law is worded leaves too much room for personal interpretation in how it is enforced, according to Stephane Robert, manager of regulatory affairs in Nunavut for Agnico-Eagle. “If you need to have authorization of [the] governor-incouncil, they can decide not to give it to you,” Robert said. “And if they don’t give to you, it can jeopardize your project.” Robert recalled two different Department of Transport officials who produced opposite interpretations of one water body planned for pumping by a floating barge on an Agnico-Eagle site a few years ago. The experience has left him wary of approvals needed for the company’s Meliadine project in Nunavut, which contains more than 50 bodies of water that will be affected by the mine. While many of the lakes at the Meliadine project are tiny, they cover the deposit and will need to be “dewatered” – another word left undefined by the legislation. According to Tom Hoefer, executive director of the Nunavut and Northwest Territories Chamber of Mines, there is more water than land in many northern scenarios. “It’s not like the south,” said Bubar. “There can be thousands and thousands of bodies of water as big as your kitchen or your bathtub that could conceivably float a canoe.” CIM February 2013 | 27
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New tech not sexy Investors repelled by unproven technologies By Anna Reitman Miners testing new technologies are facing a chilly reception from investors. At the Mines and Money conference in London, held last December, participants picked out gold miners in particular for criticism. Many speakers noted that share prices have not held up to the huge gains in the price of gold and called for capital controls. Speaking on the investment panel at the conference, Steven Poulton, director of Altus Capital, said that after a strong management team, simplicity in the geology of a project is the next favoured qualifying condition for his firm’s consideration. Over the last five years, Poulton later explained, there has been increased investment into typically lower grade projects predicated on the use of new technology, but the promised results have largely not materialized. “We are very supportive of using the latest technologies to deliver higher
returns faster, but if you are unable to fully understand the technical or metallurgical features of the project, it is something that can kill the whole investment,” he said. “The exploration and development phases of a project carry enough risk.” And there is reason for investors to be wary: a study of 43 failed mining projects by Chris Twigge-Molecey, senior adviser at Hatch, showed that half were adopting major new technologies. “If you look behind that number, there was a lack of proper project phasing,” he said. “And one of the reasons that new technologies were not successful is because there was not enough time spent on the test work, the pilot plants and the preparatory work before going to commercial scale – basically skipping steps or ignoring inconvenient information.” Poulton is very wary of iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits – largely polymetallic ore bodies likely to
ACHIEVEMENTS MAC presents sustainable mining awards
Courtesy of MAC
The Mining Association of Canada presented its 2012 Towards Sustainable Mining Performance Awards to four companies that either met or exceeded best practice benchmarks with regard to social and environmental performance: BHP Billiton – Ekati, Iamgold, Inmet Mining and Suncor Energy. The awards are based on the Towards Sustainable Mining assessment system that focuses on tailings management, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management, and external outreach.
From left: Craig Ford, Inmet Mining; Robert Carreau, Iamgold; Pierre Gratton, MAC; Rob MacLean, BHP Billiton – Ekati; and Anne Marie Toutant, Suncor Energy
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contain a blend of low grades – that require heavy investment in technology to make them economically feasible. BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam IOCG deposit is considered one of the world’s best uranium resources but has been sidelined as a result of huge costs. BHP declined requests for an interview, but statements confirm the miner is now taking a cautious approach to new technology. “The company will only pursue proven mature technology that can add demonstrable value to our business,” a spokesperson said. Majors like BHP must carefully balance their long-term innovation goals and the appeasement of technophobic investors. Peter Kondos, director of Barrick’s strategic technology solutions group, confirmed that controlling capital expense is the current theme in mining. “Majors are affected [by the investment climate] and bringing on new technologies is challenging these days,” he noted. “But if the new technology is about introducing efficiency, or a better way to do things, that is a different story. For example, we are developing a new gold leaching technology to access and process double refractory ore bodies in Nevada that the conventional gold cyanidation process cannot handle. First gold from this new process will be produced in 2014.” [See: “Thiosulphate going commercial” on p. 42] But Barrick can carry more weight than most, and smaller innovators looking to bring major new technologies online are left knocking on a lot of doors. Orbite Aluminae, for example, is developing technology for the environmentally neutral production of smeltergrade alumina and rare earths from aluminous clay, bauxite and other feedstocks without generating any tailings or toxic red mud residue. In December, Orbite raised $30 million through private placements and a
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convertible debenture offering to push forward in proving the company’s concept. “As a cleantech company that is now in the middle of commissioning our first high-purity alumina plant, it has been a challenge for us to find the right investors, with most of our supporters to date being North American mining funds,” said Marc Johnson, Orbite’s vice-president of corporate development. The company’s pilot plant in Cap-Chat, Quebec, operated until March 2012, and beginning in June 2012, was converted into a commercial high-purity alumina plant. Johnson expects commissioning of this plant to be completed during the first quarter of 2013 and for commercial production to be announced by the beginning of the second. The next phase will be funding and initiating construction of a smelter-grade alumina plant by year-end. “Being an innovator has its drawbacks,” Johnson added. “Before jumping in, many institutional investors want to see projects de-risked, which really means seeing a fully operational plant.” CIM
The hunt for net present value Advanced optimization technology applied to overall business operations shows that reining in capital expenditure may not be the best way to increase net present value (NPV). During a Mines and Money seminar, representatives of Whittle Consulting explained that the steps miners can take to increase value are often counterintuitive. A fictitious, though realistic, analysis showed that by reducing the pit size (fewer reserves), increasing costs of mining (plant and logistics), idling mining equipment, reducing resource recovery with higher cut-off grades, increasing capital expenditure and decreasing the life of the mine, NPV increased by almost 74 per cent. Real-world cases that involved a number of the changes listed above had the following outcomes: Precious metals mine: Gold mine: Underground mine: Mixed commodities mine:
+26% +89% +37% +55%
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All-in gold cost reporting New metric set to woo shareholders and discourage taxes
Goldcorp began 2013 by introducing a new all-in sustaining cost metric of $1,000 to $1,100 per ounce. The strategy is meant to both increase transparency and appease shareholders who, according to company vice-president of strategy Rohan Hazelton, believe standard operating cash costs no longer reflect the full cost of producing an ounce of gold. “This is a very capital-intensive business,” he said. “The new metric includes cash costs, plus exploration – both expensed and capitalized exploration – plus general and administrative expenses, as well as sustaining capital.” Hazelton explained that including sustaining capital was essential. “Our investments in a brand new mine like Cerro Negro in Argentina or a major new expansion at an existing mine like Cochenour at Red Lake need to be made in order to grow our annual production, and should be reflected,” he said. He sits on the World Gold Council’s committee to evaluate a global all-in cost measurement, where discussions are still in progress. “We wanted to begin communicating to all stakeholders and Goldcorp staff without waiting for consensus among our peers,” he said, adding that when there eventually is an industry metric, Goldcorp will adopt it. Yamana is another gold miner that has adopted a new metric, expecting its all-in sustaining cash costs for 2013 to be below $800 per gold equivalent ounce – rolling in silver production to their figure. Jose Suarez, Accenture managing director and North American mining industry lead, believes that the implications for the market are positive, since the inefficiency of capital projects were hurting gold stocks. “This will bring more visibility and more certainty to the market, across the board,” he said, “not just for gold miners, but for everyone.” He expects that other 30 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Courtesy of Goldcorp
By Krystyna Lagowski
Goldcorp, which is developing its Cerro Negro property in Argentina (above), hopes a new all-in cost metric for producing gold will help investors make good decisions.
gold miners will follow suit, as will other sectors in the mining industry. However, Suarez thinks capital projects should also be part of the allin cost, unless they are part of a sustainability project. “Capital projects should continue to be on the balance sheet, and need to be managed properly to ensure we don’t have the cost blow-outs we had in the past,” he said. According to George Topping, managing director at Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., governments around the world have been steadily increasing taxes on mining companies due to misconceptions perpetuated by low cash costs. “They’re looking at mining companies as cash cows, when in fact, we’re not at that stage yet,” he explained. “The government is happy for you to spend money, and they obviously want to benefit from the boom in metal prices.” In order to satisfy shareholder demands, Topping said, mining companies had been pursuing growth at any price. “The companies were finding that their balance sheets could not sustain this pursuit of growth,” he said. “Barrick has $13 billion of debt, so their balance sheet is really stretched,
and they have to spend the next couple of years paying that down.” Topping compares the situation to Europe. “Companies went on a spending spree for as long as they could, until their lenders started to balk at the balance sheet,” he said. “Shareholders here have been voting with their feet. The funds have been flowing out of the sector and share prices are falling. To bring that money back, you have to set expectations low and to beat them, to meet your targets instead of disappointing every quarter.” He suggested managers need to work hard to gain back investor confidence by using their own salaries to buy shares or even to buy gold bullion. “That way you’re helping to offset and leverage the gold price,” Topping said. “You don’t have to expand production; you’re expanding exposure to the gold price by buying gold on your balance sheet.” Further, Topping said being a gold investor could be made more directly connected to the value of gold itself. “Dividends could even be paid in gold bullion,” he said. “Why not? If people don’t like gold, they shouldn’t be buying a gold mining company.” CIM
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M A C E C O N O M I C C O M M E N TA R Y
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New taxation measures threaten Canadian junior miners BY PIERRE GRATTON
anada is home to the largest concentration of junior companies in the world, hosting 70 per cent. In 2011, 152 new juniors listed on the TSX Venture – representing one firm every two and half days. These new companies made up around 12 per cent of the exchange’s total 1,275 listings for the year. In 2012, Canadian-based enterprises accounted for the largest share – 37 per cent or $7.5 billion – of global exploration spending. Roughly 800 of these are actively exploring outside of Canada in over 100 countries. In fact, Canadian firms represent the largest share of exploration spending in the United States, Central and South America, Europe and Africa. TSX-listed mining companies operate approximately 3,500 projects, 63 per cent of which are located abroad. An additional 2,408 projects outside of Canada are owned by TSX Venture-listed companies. Both local and foreign investors injected a total of $7.25 billion in TSX and TSX-V mining companies operating projects outside of Canada, compared to $2.16 billion raised for mining groups with projects located within the country. This is global leadership. Unfortunately, it may be about to erode. The new federal Foreign Affiliate Dumping (FAD) rules throw a wrench into the junior mining industry’s successful business model by impeding the financing of certain key mining transactions – transactions that do not belong to the debt-dumping activity the rules are designed to catch. By imposing extra costs on “investments” made by foreigncontrolled Canadian mining companies in foreign affiliates, the FAD rules: 1) make Canadian junior mining companies less attractive to foreign majors; 2) render Canada less attractive as a destination for new junior mining companies with foreign projects; and 3) risk eroding Canada’s world-class junior mining sector, as well as the Canadian financial and supply sectors that currently support the industry. To understand how FAD rules will impact the mining industry, it is crucial to recognize the relationship between the affected transactions and the financial synergy of both junior and major miners. Junior companies are frequently required by law to be localized in the country in which they are operating through the creation of a foreign affiliate (FA). The FA possesses the land holdings and the exploration licences for the host country, and manages the operations of the project. In many cases, the foreign-controlled corporation resident in Canada (CRIC) – the company that owns the FA – is a holding company whose raison d’être is to
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finance the activities of the FA. These high value-added activities can be conducted in Canada or anywhere else, and they represent found money for Canada that expands its tax base. When it comes time to develop an exploration project, the junior CRIC will often partner with a major mining company (often a non-resident), usually in the form of the foreign major investing in the junior CRIC. In turn, the junior CRIC finances its FA’s development activities abroad. Throughout
“The new federal FAD rules
throw a wrench
into the junior mining industry’s successful business model...”
32 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
this process, the foreign major frequently makes a bid for the remaining shares of the junior CRIC, thus acquiring the company, the company’s FA and the exploration project it is developing. In a majority of cases, investors use Canadian corporations as a vehicle for investing in mining projects outside of Canada. These transactions are not undertaken because of any perceived Canadian tax benefit. Rather, investors are attracted to the infrastructure that is Canada’s competitive mining advantage: the specialist bankers, lawyers, accountants, geologists, the TSX and TSX-V exchanges, and the Canadian corporate and securities laws applicable to corporations created and listed here. These investors currently choose to come to Canada, but they have alternatives. Over the past few months, MAC, PDAC and many financial, legal and accounting communities have been working hard to convince the Department of Finance Canada to revise these rules – with some success. But many problems remain, and the new rules effectively create incentives for those already here to leave for a more favourable tax jurisdiction. International competition for high-value financing and management activities arising from mining projects is intense. This is true in regions like Africa, Latin America and Asia, but particularly in the United Kingdom. The U.K. recently revised its tax regime to make it very attractive for foreign investors to use domestic companies for foreign projects – the exact opposite of the policy direction set by the FAD rules.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR The impact of losing new mining companies to other countries is significant to Canada. In 2011, TSX Venturelisted juniors raised $5.9 billion in equity capital. These companies are serviced by a robust mining supply sector – the second largest in the world. If the junior sector erodes, the supporting financial, legal and other areas of expertise that surround it – namely, our competitive advantage – will erode along with it. Our industry must continue to work to resolve this issue in a way that enables the government of Canada to achieve its original policy objective without adversely affecting the Canadian mining industry. CIM
Nova Scotia: Global Mining Opportunities
Pierre Gratton is president and CEO of The Mining Association of Canada.
ACHIEVEMENTS Dumas wins safety award again The Ontario Mine Contracts Safety Association (OMCSA) presented Dumas Contracting Ltd. with its second Safety Innovation Award. The Toronto-based mining and energy services provider was recognized for developing a sophisticated tool and technique to re-rail track locomotives in underground mines. Underground conditions change, putting locomotives at greater risk of derailing. Dumas streamlined the process, eliminating the risks that are related to the conventional re-railing process and reducing the time workers need to re-rail the locomotive. Dumas calls it the “Re-Railer Bar” technique. “We are honoured to receive this prestigious OMCSA award for our re-railing solution,” said Dumas CEO Burger Greeff. “At Dumas, we empower our employees to proactively solve safety challenges. The re-railing project demonstrates our employees’ ingenuity and dedication to safety.” Dumas won its first OMCSA award in 2010 for developing the “Dumas Crosshead Design,” a tool to safely transport miners underground for shaft-sinking. Workers stay safe as the crosshead keeps workers’ heads and limbs inside of the bucket that lowers them into the shaft. “As a growing global contracting company, our safety challenge is unique,” said Roger Belair, Dumas’ health, safety and environment director. “On a rolling basis, we need to educate, train and empower new employees to strive for safety standard of Zero Harm. To make this possible, we are rolling out new tools, such as more thorough safety reporting procedures and company-wide weekly safety shares.”
MINING SOCIETY of NOVA SCOTIA
126 TH ANNUAL MEETING
JUNE 5-7, 2013
INVERARY RESORT, BADDECK CAPE BRETON ISLAND Save the date and plan to attend the 126th Annual General Meeting of the Mining Society of Nova Scotia. The highlights of this year's conference include: Presentations and networking - featuring a Chilean mining delegation Compelling technical sessions Exciting performance by North America's coal miners choir: The Men of the Deeps Awards banquet with Cape Breton entertainment Golf at renowned Bell Bay Golf Club Accompanying Persons Program
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EYE ON BUSINESS
Assessing Canada’s new approach to foreign investment by SOEs BY MARK KATZ
n December 2012, the Canadian government updated the policy framework under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) for assessing foreign state-owned enterprise (SOE) investments, just as it green-lighted China National Offshore Oil Corp.’s (CNOOC) takeover of Nexen and Petronas’ takeover of Progress Energy Resources Corp. The objective was to resolve the debate over desirability of SOE investments, while clarifying the government’s review approach under the ICA. However, the Harper administration was only partly successful in achieving this goal. While the new framework strikes a reasonable balance between unfettered SOE investment and a complete ban on SOE acquisition, it fails to demystify the ICA review process, which many critics believe lacks transparency. The December 7 announcement that accompanied the new policy framework clearly reflects Ottawa’s discomfort with SOEs acquiring control of Canadian industrial sectors. As Stephen Harper said, Canada has not undergone a period of domestic privatization only to see its economy come under an “inordinate amount of foreign state influence.” The government announced that it will only permit foreign SOEs to acquire control of Canadian oil sands businesses “in exceptional circumstances” and warned that other sectors could be subject to a cap on SOE investments
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if they reach the point where SOE acquisitions of control “could undermine the private sector orientation” of that industry. Yet, as the government recognizes the importance of foreign investment to the economy, it does not want to shut the door entirely. In its December statement, it emphasized that
“... the government’s revised policy framework unfortunately raises new questions
that could undermine this goal.” it will continue to welcome SOE acquisitions of non-controlling minority interests in Canadian businesses, as well as greenfield investments. The government will also continue to review proposed SOE acquisitions of control outside of the oil sands sector on a case-by-case basis in order to determine if they are of “net benefit” to Canada and “consistent with the principles of free enterprise.” Although the government’s objective may have been to end the debate over SOE investment in Canada, its revised policy framework unfortunately raises new questions that could undermine this goal.
Courtesy of Francis Scarpaleggia
ACHIEVEMENTS CMMF manager receives Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal Federal MP Francis Scarpaleggia presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Foundation manager Deborah Smith-Sauvé for her leadership and volunteer contributions to many charitable organizations, and for her dedication to the not-for-profit and humanitarian sectors. A selection committee reviewed a 50page nomination submission presented by community leaders and professionals from across Canada who had witnessed different facets of her career. The submission also included a section about the CMMF mineral card project that she initiated and is now developing as a resource tool for Canadian students. The cards are available in English, French and Inuktitut (Inuit syllabics) at www.cmmf72.org/en/mineral-card-project. During the ceremony, it was noted that Smith-Sauvé served the youth,
34 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
including Aboriginal youth, in the areas of education and community service for over 30 years. The theme for the Queen’s medal was Service to Others.
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One important question is: What exactly does the government mean when it refers to “SOEs?” The new policy appears to cover not only entities that are controlled by foreign governments, but also those that are under foreign government “influence.” This may create significant uncertainty as to when the policy will apply. For example, if a foreign government only holds a minority stake in a company purporting to buy a Canadian business, is that enough to constitute “foreign government influence” and subject the investor to the SOE policy framework? Ottawa has also left other important aspects of its SOE policy undefined. Questions have already been raised about what “exceptional circumstances” may justify future SOE acquisitions in the oil sands sector. Furthermore, the government has chosen not to define the circumstances in which SOE investments in other sectors could be prohibited, other than to establish the nebulous standard of “inordinate foreign state influence.” This means prospective SOE investors will have to consider the extent of other SOE investments in their target business’ industry and guess whether their proposed investments will go beyond the “tipping point” of undue SOE “influence.” For example, foreign SOEs have already invested in other natural resource sectors in Canada, such as mining. Are those sectors now approaching the level of “inordinate foreign state influence” that could lead to a ban on SOE investment? And what if the SOE acquires a Canadian company with operating assets outside of the country? Will that also count towards the industry’s “inordinate influence” threshold, or are only acquisitions of businesses with assets in Canada relevant for this purpose? At the end of the day, Canadian businesses – especially natural resources industries – are left with one clear takeaway from the government’s new SOE policy framework: while foreign SOE investment is still an option, any SOE investment involving the acquisition of majority control will be subjected to heightened scrutiny. However, the manner in which that
review will unfold, and the criteria that will be applied, are still unclear. CIM Mark Katz is a partner in the Toronto office of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, practising in the firm’s Competition and Foreign Investment Review group. He provides domestic and international clients with advice regarding the application of the Investment Canada Act and all aspects of Canadian competition law. He can be reached at mkatz@dwpv.com.
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HR OUTLOOK
A collaborative approach to Aboriginal education BY MELANIE STURK
hile the mining industry continues to invest in training and education for Aboriginal peoples, there is a need to better understand how to increase the success of education, which in turn leads to mining employment. In response, MiHR hosted the Aboriginal Mining Education Forum, an event that brought representatives from the mining industry, educational institutions and Aboriginal communities to the Hyatt Regency in Toronto to identify strategies for increasing successful education outcomes for Aboriginal people in mining, including actions participants could apply immediately in their respective networks. During forum discussions, delegates from educators, communities and industry recognized the benefit of working together to identify better approaches, as every party stands to benefit from their success. Building relationships and raising
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awareness of each community’s uniqueness emerged as a key component in working towards this goal. The importance of mentorship surfaced, as did training programs that cater to the specific needs of diverse cultures, communities and families.
“Programs that cater to
the unique needs of a culture, community and family will have the best chance to yield fruitful results.”
36 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Participants urged educators and industry to look to communities to gain the required understanding of various learning styles. Additionally, community members felt that an improved effort to acknowledge differences between First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners is needed. They stressed that the recognition of the cultural diversity among Canada’s Aboriginal groups, and the inclusion of Elders and community members in the learning process as advisors would make learning more meaningful for Aboriginal people and effectively retain learners in the system. Mentorship for Aboriginal learners was also identified as an important part of the learning and education process. Mentorship programs were recognized as positive tools for supporting learners by providing a realistic role model who is readily available to answer questions. A mentor’s influence and guidance also play critical roles in showing young people what they can become, while keeping them focused on their goals. Participants felt this relationship often proves more effective than learning in a classroom, or could enhance the classroom experience. It is especially effective when a mentor returns to his or her own community, demonstrating that hard work and dedication breed success. Mentorship should continue as the learner moves into the workplace and continues to gain experience.
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columns As many Aboriginal communities have unique cultural traditions and are located in remote regions, family and community needs may be different than those of urban communities. As such, industry will need to be innovative and flexible in its approach to creating education or training programs. Aboriginal peoples who choose to start a family at a young age should have every opportunity to learn and will need the flexibility and support of daycare within the community. Programs that cater to the unique needs of a culture, community and family will have the best chance to yield fruitful results. The forum was not just about abstract ideas; it was also about taking action. Participants submitted “Ripple Effect” forms at the end of the final day, citing one action they would commit to taking post-forum – to address challenges related to Aboriginal education and mining. The concept is that one small action can have a huge knock-on effect. Actions included establishing a new professional connection, creating awareness, or pursuing a newly discovered training program. One respondent from the education sector left the forum with the intention of exploring the availability of MiHR’s Mining Essentials program, which teaches both essential and work-readiness skills the mining industry requires for entry-level positions. MiHR will follow up with delegates in the coming months to see how their actions have progressed, reporting on successes to ensure the positivity and willingness to collaborate seen during the forum gains momentum and leads to real change. Forum discussions were captured by researchers and are available in the current Outcomes Report. The report provides insights on the challenges to successful education outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, recommendations to increase success and a foundation for forging new partnerships and initiatives. To read the report in its entirety, review themes submitted from the Ripple Effect initiative, or to join the Network for Aboriginal Min-
ing Educators, please visit www.aboriginalmining.ca or contact Melanie Sturk at msturk@mihr.ca. CIM Melanie Sturk is the director of attraction, retention and transition at the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR), the national HR council for Canada’s minerals and metals industry. MiHR contributes to the strength, competiveness and sustainability of the mining industry by collaborating with all communities of interest in the development and implementation of HR solutions. Melanie is responsible for the initiatives that encourage new workers, particularly those from under-represented groups, to engage in mining careers that support the industry by enhancing workplace diversity.
MOVING ON UP Lacoste leads Monarques Monarques Resources Inc. and Nemaska Lithium Inc. appointed Jean-Marc Lacoste as president and CEO of Monarques, replacing Guy Bourassa, who was president and CEO of Monarques, a mineral exploration company, since March 2011. This move allows Bourassa to focus primarily in his role as president and CEO of Nemaska, a growing exploration and development company that recently filed a preliminary economic assessment for a mine, concentrator and lithium hydroxide and carbonate processing plant in Quebec. Bourassa is also contributing to building Monarques’ presence in the market. “The board is confident that Mr. Lacoste will be instrumental in the development of Monarques’ existing mining properties and will play a key role in further expanding our exploration project pipeline in the future.’
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S TA N D A R D S
Geophysical logs useful for reporting potash exploration results BY DAVE MACKINTOSH
recent CIM Magazine Standards column described the benefits of using geophysical logs when reporting resource estimates in coal. They are similarly important in potash exploration. Since they are emitters of gamma radiation, potash-bearing beds are easily discernible using gamma ray logs. Carnallite, normally considered an impurity in sylvite mines, can be identified when gamma logs are used in conjunction with neutron density logs. As pointed out in the September/October issue’s column, logs from adjacent drill holes can ensure consistent sampling in all holes, and the distinctive trace of each horizon enables demonstration of continuity between holes. Sonic logs provide a necessary link between seismic data and the real world. Geophysical logs can assist in determining core recovery, rock mechanics needs and ore grades.
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norm. Problems arise when a brine-based drilling fluid, rather than diesel or mineral-based, is used. Changes in mineralogy can become incompatible with the brines resulting in severely washed core. Where losses do occur, mineralization and recovery can be determined by comparing recovered core length to the geophysical logs.
Rock mechanics implications Water is a major concern in potash mining. Geophysical logs can help determine whether overlying formations are wet or dry, porous or fractured. Salt cover is another important rock mechanics consideration. Where coring is started within the salt section rather than in overlying formations, geophysical logs are invaluable in determining salt cover thickness and the thickness of immediate beds above potential mine openings.
Core recovery Core recovery is not usually an issue in potash exploration, where recoveries of 98 per cent and higher are the
Expert. Quality. Advice. Mining Engineering Geotechnical Engineering Underground and Open Pit Feasibility Studies NI 43-101 Reports Due Diligence
The busi www.amcconsultants.com 38 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Ore grade Questions often arise regarding the use of gamma logs to estimate ore grade. This is fine where a mining operation has amassed a large database of gamma to assay correlations specific to their area. But an exploration geologist rarely has this luxury. Methods proposed by Bannatyne (1983) and Nelson (2007) are commonly cited, but applying these methods does not always produce grade values that are in agreement. In his 2007 paper, “Evaluation of Potash Grade with Gammaray Logs,â€? Philip Nelson, a geophysicist with the Energy Resource Surveys Teams of the U.S. Geological Survey, outlined several problems with estimating potassium oxide (K2O) values from gamma logs: • Gamma rays penetrate adjacent beds, causing the logging tool to respond to these adjacent beds as well as the target beds, which may result in an over-estimation of grade thickness. • In uranium exploration, the target beds produce much higher count rates relative to the background count rate. This is not the case in potash exploration where the background count rate can be significant relative to the potash beds and should be subtracted out. Not doing so can introduce errors of as much as 1.5 to two per cent K2O. • Logging speed reduces count rate. • Gamma ray attenuation caused by cement, casing, tool diameter and mud is a concern. Crain and Alger (1965) produced curves trying to correct for such attenuation. However, as Nelson (2007) reported, correcting data for borehole condition can create more problems than it solves. All said, gamma logs are very useful for data verification. One of the first things a Qualified Person might do is plot
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columns returned assays versus depth alongside gamma logs. The correlation between count rate and assays is an excellent confirmation of correctly positioned core, accounting for lost core and adequate sample intervals. While there are risks in using potash grades determined from gamma logs, the extent of these risks depends on what use is made of the geophysically determined grades. Using log determinations as an interim measure of potash grade until chemical assays are received during exploration may be appropriate. Restricting the classification of any resource blocks to Inferred until grade is confirmed by chemical assay is prudent. And only do this when there has been a database of exploration drill holes where chemical assay to gamma ray-determined grade can be compared and calibrated. In situations where core does not exist and adequate sampling is not possible, a potential quantity – as stated in item 2.3 of the Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects – with a range of K2O values can be reported using gamma log determinations. As in the September/October column, the author considers it best practice to have the core logged by the geologist using the geophysical logs as a reference. CIM
Dave Mackintosh, an independent consulting geologist, is the author of numerous papers on potash, rock mechanics, mining, and geology.
ACHIEVEMENT New Gold wins sustainability award Intermediate gold producer New Gold Inc. received the 2011 Mining and Sustainability Award for its work at New Afton. The award is a joint initiative of the Mining Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Ministry of Energy. The company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to health and safety, community engagement, environment, advance reclamation and conservation at the underground gold, copper and silver mine developed at a cost of $760 million. “The New Afton mine is an award-winning example of sustainable and responsible mining practices giving British Columbians further proof that economic growth doesn’t have to happen at the expense of our environment,” said Terry Lake, minister of environment in British Columbia. New Gold has a portfolio of global assets in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Chile and Australia.
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They have it covered Decades of layered innovation in Onaping Courtesy of Xstrata Nickel
by Eavan Moore
Biofuel crops growing on tailings at Xstrata Nickel’s facility near Onaping, Ontario
n 1991, Ontario implemented laws requiring mining, milling and smelting operations to design and fund longterm closure plans. At the same time, Xstrata Nickel’s mine and mill complex near Onaping was ahead of the curve, exploring innovative ways to go beyond legal obligations. One of the first mining operations to replace tailings impoundments with desulphured covers, Onaping has now gone a step further, and Xstrata Nickel’s Sudbury operations have transformed what was once a liability into a source of revenue by seeding the cover with biofuel crops. With its eye on the future, the company has started modelling the potential effects of climate change to ensure stability of the closure site over the long term. Joe Fyfe, superintendent of environment and sustainable development systems at Xstrata Nickel’s Sudbury operations, says his company takes a broad interest in innovation. “We participate in a large number of research areas,” he says, “trying to move the yardsticks forward.”
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Biofuels: the latest reward Because Xstrata Nickel mines a copper-nickel sulphide ore at its Sudbury facilities, it must prevent the acid runoff that occurs when sulphides are oxidized. Xstrata Nickel’s technical specialists are working with Canmet Mining, Mirarco and Laurentian University to study the use of biosolids from municipal food and yard waste composts as a growth medium for biofuel crops, with additional benefits as an oxygen-blocking top cover. As part of the Green Mines Green Energy (GMGE) initiative launched by Canmet Mining, three northern Ontario sites – owned by Xstrata Nickel, Vale and Goldcorp – have proven 40 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
the technical feasibility of growing biofuel species and have now moved on to assessing the economics. Phase one of the project determined whether canola, corn, switchgrass, sunflowers and willow could grow in a biosolids plot. Xstrata Nickel used municipal compost trucked from Toronto to build a metre-deep, 0.5-hectare plot over part of its Strathcona tailings facility in 2008. Between 2009 and 2011, the plot was tripled in size. Researchers sampled the soil and biomass for metal contamination, measured each crop’s growth level, and fine-tuned the mix. Accumulation of tailings metals in either the soil or biomass did not appear to be a problem. A low water table prevented Xstrata Nickel’s original groundwater well installations from gathering meaningful data, but Fyfe says the site’s monitoring wells are being upgraded for deeper penetration. That first phase was a success, with a few caveats. At Xstrata Nickel’s Sudbury operations, yields improved year-on-year as the immature compost responded to fertilizer and the perennial switchgrass reached maturity. The corn was a new dwarf variety and contained too little sugar to be economically viable as a biofuel, and due to competition with weeds, the willows’ growth was “not spectacular,” says Fyfe. Switchgrass and sunflowers, however, performed well. In 2011, the two switchgrass varieties produced a respective 11 and 9.6 tonnes per hectare (dry weight), enough to serve as potential fuel feedstock. “The energy balance is more favourable with the perennial type of crop, so we’re leaning that way,” Fyfe points out. The future of Xstrata Nickel’s biofuel crop depends on the next phase of the GMGE assessment. Phase two will gauge the commercial viability of the project, addressing issues like the availability of biosolids and the relative efficiency of transforming each crop into fuel. The GMGE consortium has put together research proposals, but the timeline for this phase is still open-ended, says Daniel Campbell, director of the environmental monitoring and rehabilitation group at Mirarco. Canmet Mining has rough estimates of the potential revenues, suggesting that 11 tonnes of switchgrass growing on one hectare could net $468, assuming a value of $56 per tonne and a production cost of $148 per hectare per year. For canola, net revenue could reach $905 per hectare per year. However, those figures omit the significant cost of transporting and spreading the compost. As a result, participants are considering experimenting with lowering their biosolid use by spreading shallower layers or by mixing compost directly into the tailings, which could mitigate both the cost and the lack of local compost availability. The Strathcona tailings site currently has 65 hectares of slimes cover eligible to grow biofuels crops.
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According to Bryan Tisch, senior environmental scientist at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), GMGE was the first study to introduce biofuel crops onto mine tailings. Potential biofuel partners and other Canadian sites have already expressed an interest, but few other sites appear to have mounted trials.
A testing ground for new techniques The recent work in biofuels relies on what Fyfe says is a long history of experimentation and remediation at the facilities around Onaping. Under the compost, the tailings had already been treated to prevent oxidation through a combination of desulphurization, thickening and lime amendment. These techniques radically reduced the site’s need for water treatment and set an example for industry. Older-style tailings impoundments pose the risk of a dam breaking and require perpetual effluent treatment, so the operation began changes to the conventional tailings impoundments in the 1990s. Studies showed that a layer of fine, desulphured tailings – 1.5 metres deep – could absorb moisture and block oxygen penetration. An extra sulphur removal circuit was added to the Strathcona mill, creating three tailings streams: high-sulphur pyrrhotite to be deposited underwater; coarse lower sulphur tailings used for mine backfill; and fine slimes, with a minimal sulphur content of 0.4 to one per cent, to be used to cap the remaining pyrrhotite or mixed tailings. Before deposition, the slimes were amended with alkaline kiln dust, which was a non-revenue generating material, to balance the residual sulphur. “We had hiccups along the way,” says Fyfe, recalling how the slimes segregated by grain size when deposited on their sloping bed, effectively creating an uneven cover that was less than the minimum 1.5 metres thick in places. The question of oxygen penetration through the uneven slimes led to the installation of a thickener in 2002, explains Jeff Martin, a senior engineer at Senes Consultants Ltd., who has provided advice to Xstrata Nickel’s Onaping operations since 1998. “If you have the coarse tailings on the upstream side, then you have more oxygen penetration, and part of the reason for the cover is to minimize oxidation of the underlying highsulphur tailings,” he points out. “If you thicken the tailings, then it deposits in a more homogeneous fashion, and you avoid that grain size segregation. So the thickener helps to place the cover and gives it better properties so it can limit oxygen penetration.”
Past innovation supports new projects All of these approaches were new when introduced near Onaping. The use of desulphurized tailings, for example, was first suggested in the late 1990s, says Bruno Bussière, chair of the department of applied science at the Université du Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. “Today, the approach is more and more on the drawing table of new mines, but there are few examples of application,” he says. “Things are changing, but slowly.”
Onaping’s pre-treatment wastewater quality has improved, with average pH measurements in its oxidation pond rising from 3.2 in 2000 to roughly seven in 2012. The amount of lime needed for water treatment has fallen as a result. That bodes well for Xstrata Nickel’s ultimate goal: ending its reliance on the Strathcona Tailings Treatment System. Neighbouring Vale and KGHM International sites continue to rely on the shared facility, but Xstrata Nickel expects it will be able to end active water treatment about 10 years after halting production at the Strathcona mill.
Staying on top of things Thinking of the longer term, Fyfe adds there are plans to apply different climate change models to its tailings management area. His goal is to assess whether the water-retaining structures will hold up in a major storm, or whether the tailings will maintain their saturation in severe drought conditions. The models need updating. “Our early models back in the mid-1990s used much different hardware and software that are now obsolete,” he explains. “The intent is to get the existing base hydrology model data in these new tools and then try iterative runs with varied inputs from a storm event scenario.” With extreme storm events no longer being hypothetical scenarios, this might be another example for new mining operations to follow. CIM
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Thiosulphate going commercial Barrick’s Goldstrike pushes research forward on cyanide alternative Courtesy of Barrick Gold
by Peter Braul
John Langhans, Nathan Stubina and Mitch Cheng (from left to right) at the Barrick Technology Centre in Vancouver, working on the thiosulphate process
nce a retrofitted thiosulphate leach circuit goes into full-scale production in 2014, Barrick Gold’s Goldstrike mine will be the largest scale use of the alternative lixiviant the world has ever seen. The result of decades of R&D, the cyanide-free circuit that is being built will rely on a careful chemical balance and on lessons learned during years of work scaling up the technology. The processing plant at Goldstrike in Nevada includes two separate circuits: one that has a roaster for carbonaceous double refractory ores, and one with autoclaves used to treat the rest of the refractory sulphide ore body. This layout made sense until recently, but Goldstrike has eaten through all of the single refractory ore. With conventional methods unable to treat double refractory ore in the autoclave circuit, the mine was faced with a choice: “Come up with some technology, or shut down the autoclaves,” remembers Barrick’s John Langhans. He is project manager of the team working to retrofit the pressure oxidation circuit to use thiosulphate instead of cyanide to process double refractory ore. The thiosulphate circuit will have its own tailings pond, which promises environmental benefits, as the leaching agent is non-toxic and is commonly used as a fertilizer. Through luck or strategy or both, Barrick inherited considerable thiosulphate expertise when it acquired Placer Dome, and the Placer Dome technology centre. But success in this project at Goldstrike has depended on a lot of collaboration: between the corporate office in Toronto, regional offices in Nevada and Utah, what is now Barrick’s technology centre in Vancouver, and also with researchers around the world.
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Barrick’s work with SGS Lakefield and the University of British Columbia’s materials engineering department has been crucial, as have partnerships with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Perth, Australia, and Ausenco for engineering support. For many who have spent years in R&D, as Langhans did, the project has been deeply satisfying. He spent four years studying thiosulphate with the U.S. Bureau of Mines in the 1990s, before joining Barrick in 1999. At the time, he had no idea his expertise would help see the technology into commercial production. “It’s a once-in-a-career opportunity,” he says.
Ion exchange resins crucial Newmont had some experience in the 1990s with a demonstration heap-leach thiosulphate circuit, but complications resulted in its eventual shutdown in 1999. The technology never proved economical. Barrick, however, is in a unique position, having already paid for Goldstrike’s autoclaves. Operating much the same as they did before, the autoclaves make the work easier for thiosulphate, which is added after the crushed ore has been treated. According to Peter Kondos, Barrick’s director of strategic technology solutions, the innovations in the new technology are “focused on the use of resin, the resin-loading strategy and its elution.” Thiosulphate is relatively good at picking up gold in the leach tanks – creating a gold-thiosulphate complex – but the challenge has been getting that gold out of solution. Thiosulphate cannot be used in a traditional carbon-in-leach or carbon-in-pulp circuit like cyanide can. Instead, strong base ion exchange (IX) resins are used, to which the gold-thiosulphate adsorbs. However, the use of ion exchange resins has some issues, says Paul Breuer, principal research scientist at CSIRO: “The IX resins pick up the gold-thiosulphate out of solution, but once you get that on the resin, you need to get it off. The elution system is not simple.” CSIRO has been at the forefront of this research and, according to Breuer, “It was only with [CSIRO’s] discovery of the benefit of sulphite as an additive to the IX elution process that it became easier.”
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Courtesy of Barrick Gold
solution. “There’s an intermediate kind of conditioning that can take place if we need to have it, in order to adjust the chemistry,” Langhans says. “On the resin, it’s a chemical equilibrium. During the leach cycle, if you have too much of one chemical in the system, it can either push gold off, or preferentially load itself instead of gold onto the resin.” In the thiosulphate circuit, polythionates, in particular, accumulate as the lixiviant breaks down over time.
A “chemically aggressive” environment
Barrick Gold’s thiosulphate demonstration plant at the Goldstrike processing facility
“CSIRO was very critical,” says Yeonuk Choi, Barrick’s manager of technology development, who gives credit to decades of research done in Australia. “Paul and CSIRO have been working on the elution process for many years.” Since Barrick brought in the IX technology from CSIRO in 2010, Choi has worked to support Langhans as he used it to build and operate a five-tonne-per-day demonstration plant on site at Goldstrike. But even with CSIRO’s help, consistent performance was difficult to accomplish. Nearly a year of demonstration plant operation revealed how much chemical control is necessary to keep the thiosulphate circuit working properly. “It went up and down a number of times from operating properly to being highly problematic, particularly with changes in ore feed,” Breuer recalls. Langhans and the Barrick team worked on a special step in the leach circuit to deal with unwanted compounds in the leach
One of the much-touted advantages of thiosulphate is simply that it is not cyanide: one of the most recognized and reviled chemical compounds. But while thiosulphate itself is nontoxic, it took CSIRO, Barrick and others years of struggle to figure out an elution process that did not require large amounts of environmentally harmful or expensive ingredients. Goldstrike’s autoclaves make all the difference. “The leaching behaviour is quite different than direct leaching of gold ores,” says Breuer. “There is evidence that you can actually change the gold form in the autoclave. So instead of it being there as elemental gold, it’s potentially being changed to an ionic form, such as a gold chloride salt. So then when you add thiosulphate to leach the gold, you really don’t need aggressive oxidant conditions. They are running what we call ‘really mild’ thiosulphate conditions, requiring minimal additives, which results in low thiosulphate loss.” Nevertheless, thiosulphate is highly corrosive – much more so than cyanide – so provisions had to be made. Leach tanks are being replaced with special 2205 stainless steel versions. And because of the thiosulphate circuit’s instability
Oil Sands
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and the need for monitoring every stage, it had to be much more carefully constructed and designed than its cyanide equivalent. “With cyanide, you basically set your reagent additions for most ores, and it’ll do the job and you don’t need a lot of chemical control on it,� Breuer notes. This is not the case with thiosulphate. “Just sitting around, it will decompose to trithionates and tetrathionates, so it’s not a stable system – it’s always changing on you,� says Nathan Stubina, manager of the Barrick Technology Centre. Stubina, along with a team at the technology centre, worked to support the team at Goldstrike in devising processes and ways to control them. “There’s no instrumentation off the shelf that does some of the specific analyses that we need in order to control the process,� says Langhans. “We even have to manufacture one of the reagents on site.� He points out that in development, the team worked to automate the circuits and minimize the need for high-level chemists in the day-to-day operation.
Knowledge opens up new niches Because cyanide processing is so robust and thiosulphate is so difficult to master, Goldstrike’s success will not likely remake the gold mining industry. “What is important for everyone to understand is that it is very specific for certain types of ore,�
says Kondos. “If you try to do the same thing with oxides as with double refractory ore, many times it will fail. Cyanide is still the best solution for almost all ores.â€? Breuer recognizes that a switch to thiosulphate would take a lot more research. “If you are looking at replacing the cyanide process, the thiosulphate process is still a long way off,â€? he says. “The way of getting to that is through these niche applications: get some plants up and running and get some understanding of how these run on a large scale. We think then we’ll have the knowledge and the industry will have the confidence to start moving in that direction.â€? CSIRO has also been targeting a few applications for thiosulphate where cyanide would not be usable. In deep mines, for example, in-situ leaching could avoid endangering workers and also keep ground and drinking waters safe. And copper miners that produce a gravity gold concentrate, but cannot leach using cyanide for permitting reasons, may be able to harness thiosulphate to produce gold dorĂŠ bars, and thus higher value. While Barrick is not actively marketing their technology, Kondos says they will entertain potential partnerships. “We have been approached and we will be approached more in the future, and we are open to exploring opportunities,â€? he says. “This is a complex chemistry, so the more companies are interested and involved, the more we can learn.â€? CIM
ARE YOU GETTING THE ORE RECONCILIATION YOU EXPECT? What would be the commercial impact if your mine’s yield increased by 5%? Sound like a pipe-dream? This is achievable and we have the evidence. 5432 2 +*2 ,'# 032 #3 4!/-/$ 2 *3(2 +!2 /13!2 #2 ,+!3*2 #40/ $4/ #2 #432 )/0-(&2 5432 03# 0!2 /!2 +! 3*#,3!#2 +*2 +,,3(+'#32 '!(2 * .*#'!#+'-&2 /! #2 *#2 #'"32 / 02 )/0(2 /02 +# 2 ' #302 #432 +0*#2 --2 3'02 / 2 ' 0'#3- 2 ' / !#+!$2 /02 .-'*#2 ,/ 3,3!# 2 % 2
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Pollutant-hungry wetlands Patience key to future of passive water treatment Courtesy of California State Parks
by Herb Mathisen
No added chemicals, no problem The way a passive system treats contaminated water depends on the metals to be removed and on the available space on site. The multi-step process typically involves nurturing a quasi-symbiotic bacterial environment in one or multiple biochemical reactor ponds. For example, to remove byproducts from water influenced by hard rock mining operations, autotrophic bacteria first metabolize carbon dioxide to produce complex fixed carbons (acids or sugars). These fixed carbons subsequently serve as carbon sources for heterotrophic bacteria that reduce sulphate to produce hydrogen sulphide. Finally, the hydroA passive treatment system at the Empire Mine State Historic Park in California has been in operation since November gen sulphide combines with 2011 and has already been able to reduce arsenic, iron and manganese concentration levels below their respective 10, 300 and 50 micrograms per litre effluent limits. metals to produce insoluble metal sulphides. These sulphides are sequestered in the neutral-pH, hen Jim Gusek first began studying passive water anaerobic ponds. Metals are also adsorbed to organic materials treatment systems in 1988, research materials and the bioreactors themselves. Gusek recently partnered with California State Parks on were hard to come by. The only resource he could find was a book about wetlands in Siberia, trans- a semi-passive system (it uses a pump) to treat 4,740 litres lated from Russian to English. “It was a thin book, but it still per minute of water contaminated with arsenic, iron and cost us $104,” he recalls, laughing. manganese at the abandoned Empire gold mine in the Now, 25 years later, the senior consultant with Golder foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Parks manager Associates has turned the tables. Gusek has become one of the Dan Millsap says a treatment plant was initially considmost prolific authors on how to use bacterial systems to treat ered, but its construction costs were roughly twice that of mine-contaminated water and acid mine drainage without a passive system. Add to that the plant’s estimated continuous human involvement. He has also brought roughly US$600,000 annual operating budget, which did not 10 such systems into full-scale operation. Gusek says the pas- include chemical, hauling and waste disposal costs, and sive technology mimics a process Mother Nature has used for the passive system – requiring just US$20,000 annually to billions of years – water that passes through a natural environ- power the pump – started to look pretty good. The system ment is slowly altered by resident bacteria. “She has figured it has been running since November 2011 and while it was out,” he notes, “but we just need to figure her out.” not expected to reach its peak efficiency until wetland The specific designs of passive treatment systems take plants were established, it has already met the park’s final time to develop. But once ironed out, they are particularly discharge requirements. Not only is the system cheaper, attractive for remediation of either remote or abandoned Millsap says, but “it looks better too” as it blends in with mines in perpetuity. Unlike lime-treatment plants, they the natural surroundings. require no power and need only limited personnel for mon“Wetlands are nicer to look at than a big steel structure,” itoring, while eliminating the cost of burying or storing high- affirms Al Mattes, research director with Nature Works pH sludge that results from plant treatment. “Most mining Remediation Corporation. In the 1990s, Teck Cominco companies have these legacy sites, and this is the best practi- contracted Mattes to use his passive treatment expertise to cal technology to handle them,” says Gusek. deal with a mildly acidic leachate – containing zinc, arsenic
W
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and cadmium – that seeped from a historic lead-zinc smelter landfill near Trail, B.C. Rainwater percolated through the landfill, picking up dissolved metals before hitting bedrock and flowing towards a creek. This water was captured before reaching the creek and a portion was pumped to Mattes’ system for treatment. Leachate would initially flow through two oxygendeficient bioreactor ponds lined with limestone and quartz sand and containing waste pulp and paper biosolids used to energize the sulphate-reducing bacteria. From there, it would continue through three plant-cell wetlands and finally, 15 days later, on to a holding pond, where the treated water was used to irrigate a tree farm. The wetland area had been a desert of blasted rock, Mattes says, adding, “It’s now full of trees and grass, deer and elk, bears and rabbits.” From 2003 to 2007, the system, which cost $700,000 to build, treated 2,990 kilograms of arsenic, 7,698 kilograms of zinc and 86 kilograms of cadmium, with reductions in concentration of 99.4, 98.5 and 99.6 per cent, respectively.
Limiting factors Passive technology has proven successful at removing metals, but it may not be appropriate in every situation. Space, for one, is a deciding factor. When the volume of
water requiring treatment increases, so does the wetland size. Mattes’ system had the capacity to treat 20,000 litres of water daily. The two bioreactor ponds were roughly five metres deep and 18 by 30 metres in dimension – far too small for a large mining operation. “In order to treat something like the size of the output from a smelter, you would probably need [a system] several football fields in size,” Mattes explains. Those space requirements are much larger than the footprint of a typical water treatment plant building. However, Gusek notes, if planning for passive systems began during the permitting stage, this would not be an issue. For equal flow rates, bioreactors designed to accommodate acidity are much larger than the ones that would receive net neutral or alkaline water with lower concentrations of metals. So if space is unavailable, hybrid systems can be used, says Gusek, where chemicals and neutralizing agents could be introduced into the process stream in doses prior to the bioreactors in order to treat acidity or to target specific metals up-front. Regulatory requirements on effluent water can make alternatives to traditional lime treatment systems more difficult to implement. Passive systems require patience and tweaking to perfect, while lime treatment plants operate with defined flow rates, effluent concentrations and resi-
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The Marchand passive system has treated water from an abandoned coal mine in Pennsylvania since 2006. According to Bob Hedin, 2,500 tonnes of iron sludge was removed from the system’s first three ponds, to be processed and eventually sold as a high-purity iron oxide.
dency times in predictable, mathematical language. This is a risk some companies are not willing to take, although Mattes says building systems bigger can protect against potential flow increases.
Education crucial for passive future
Profiting from a liability Since 1994, Bob Hedin, founder of Hedin Environmental, has built 43 passive treatment systems for coal mines to treat iron-contaminated water. Hedin discovered early on that the systems created a very pure iron oxide. He now sells the recovered byproduct to a Virginia company, Hoover Color Corporation, which produces pigments used in a wide variety of earth-tone-coloured products. Hedin has shipped 6,000 tonnes of iron oxide to Hoover since 2001 and hopes, one day, the profits from this recovered material will finance the company’s treatment system refurbishments, since the systems require dredging every five to 10 years to maximize retention. This mining and selling of sequestered metals to fund bioreactor work could be the future for sustaining passive systems, says Jim Gusek. “If you’re an optimist like me, you look at something as an asset instead of a liability.”
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“One hiccup is all it takes to give a bad reputation to a technology,” Gusek says. He explains that one major mining company took a passive treatment project from the laboratory phase straight out into the field, where the system promptly failed. This was in the mid-1990s. Gusek maintains the technology was not at fault, but that the system design had flaws the lab test results did not reveal. Either way, he says, this company will not even entertain the idea of pursuing passive treatment in the future. For this reason, he advocates taking a careful approach to projects, first by bench-testing and then by small-scale piloting a project before beginning full-scale construction. Many factors can contribute to a passive system’s success and the right “recipe” must be found to optimize the bioreactor’s organic chemistry. He argues that testing is not expensive, compared to the considerable resources companies devote to developing metallurgical flow sheets and to fine-tuning grinding, liberation and flotation techniques. Accounting for local conditions is also key. For instance, low temperatures have been thought to decrease bacterial efficiency. When Alexco Resources built a field-scale test bioreactor in the Yukon’s Keno Hill silver district to treat water containing zinc and cadmium, it introduced an alcohol source to stimulate sulphate reduction and buried the bioreactor under a metre of soil to protect it from the cold. Jim Harrington, president of subsidiary company Alexco Environmental Group, says the system achieved 99 per cent metal removal at designed flow rates in a climate where -45 C temperatures are not unheard of. In B.C., Mattes saw an increase in arsenic removal during the winter (although zinc removal dipped), leading him to theorize that sulphate-reducing bacteria were likely less affected by the cold than the acid-producing bacteria they depend on for fixed carbon. A passive treatment system is now included as part of Alexco’s Bellekeno silver mine closure plans. The company is also slated to clean up 40 contaminated sites for the Canadian government in the Keno Hill area. Of the 10 sites requiring water treatment, Harrington says passive treatment systems are planned for five. Mattes says passive treatment technology is in a Catch-22 scenario: companies are reluctant to use a technology with few commercial applications, but the technology cannot prove itself without commercial use. On top of that, project managers are often engineers and not biologists. “In part, you have a lot of education to do,” Mattes notes. “You have to teach the mine managers, the CEOs of companies; you have to teach a lot of people that these systems can work.” CIM
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Tailings truth-teller Closure expert and blogger extraordinaire Jack Caldwell on leaving a legacy to be proud of
Courtesy of Jack Caldwell
by Peter Braul
ack Caldwell has a life-long connection to mining. But unlike most people in the industry, he is not reluctant to speak out about it – warts and all. Growing up on a mine in South Africa gave him a taste for the industry, and now, having semi-retired from a fruitful mining consulting career, Caldwell is ripe with opinions, steeped in experience and committed to a future where we can walk away from mine sites with clarity of conscience and healthy pocketbooks. The expert in dry-stack tailings still takes on contracts with Robertson Geoconsultants for select clients who, he says, are prepared to pay to have him involved. All of which – not to mention his passion for brandy, opera and cycling – is fuel for his blog, Ithinkmining.com.
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CIM: A lot of people in the industry are tight-lipped as a matter of policy. Why is blogging worth the risk? Caldwell: You don’t have to write about what you are doing as a professional consultant to have opinions about the world of mining. I come across things inadvertently, and people send me things: reminders, hints, suggestions. And it’s good to put that down. Hopefully, my blog stimulates ideas, thoughts and discussions. You get a whole gamut of responses. Some people respect me more for blogging, but there are a large number who are still angry with me, or who disagree with me vehemently. It’s quite extraordinary how many people email me privately asking for advice, discussion and the like. To be honest, I’ve met 50 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 7, No. 8
a fair number of very nice people through the blog – of course I don’t blog about them. So there’s been a personal reward, in terms of human interaction. CIM: There are very few mining bloggers in our world. Why don’t more people do what you do? Caldwell: I don’t know, and I wish it were different. The only reasons I can imagine are: 1) I’m getting old, so I’ve seen quite a lot. 2) I have time, mainly because when you live alone, in the evenings you don’t have to sit and watch television with your spouse. 3) Andy Robertson and InfoMine support me and encourage me even though many times I’ve written things that they wouldn’t have. I’m lucky: I benefit from a unique environment, a unique opportunity and a unique age. CIM: Would you invest in a mine that lets employees blog freely about their work? Caldwell: If the blog was intelligent, not esthetical, and if it indicated good management practice, which obviously would translate into income, then yes, I would. The problem you would have as a mine manager is keeping tabs on it. I know one mining company that sought to have a blog in order to get its story out, but finally its lawyers looked at it and said “no.”
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The industry is in a Catch-22. There are many critics and enemies of the mining industry who are only too ready to jump on any admissions of failure. So, for the industry to undertake an open, whole-hearted exposé of itself, as I do, is difficult and dangerous. Even when I criticize something, I think pretty hard about how I’m going to do it, because it could discredit the industry. I’ve tried to make clear that when I do criticize the industry, it’s because I believe in mining: I believe it can be done right, although I recognize it’s not always done right. And I’ve been criticized for thinking like that. CIM: In evaluating the risks associated with opening a mine, are markets taking the tailings and closure risks into account in the right proportions? Caldwell: I would suggest that the answer is no. It’s the old curse of net present value [NPV]. When you NPV the post-closure costs – surveillance and maintenance – even over 30 to 50 years, they’re zero. So it doesn’t enter into the thinking, or into the analysis of whether the mine should proceed. Some jurisdictions demand that you post a bond, but even then the costs of posting a bond are not the drivers of decisionmaking. I don’t think the mechanisms are there at this stage to force post-closure into the picture. CIM: What is the driver for good post-closure practice, then? Country? Commodity? Company? Caldwell: I’d first of all say it’s by jurisdiction. Each province in Canada does it differently. Many of the provinces in Canada still work on the basis of backroom, cigar-smoking consensus building. Whereas in America you throw your all into an epic battle, as we see in the Pebble project in Alaska. I think societies choose their own ways to act, and the well-governed ones enjoy the benefits. CIM: So you see governance as the thing that makes or breaks a closure plan? Caldwell: I think we have to face that in the absence of regulatory authority and muscle, the closure is probably not going to be done right. The technologies for building tailings facilities and closing them are there, but the costs are high. The problem is those costs come at a time when the mine is not a profitmaking entity. So if the company has been regulated to have that money available, then it happens. But if they haven’t, then the temptation is to walk away, leave it and go bankrupt, and that happens all too frequently. CIM: What elements in today’s tailings and closure research hint at more positive things to come? Caldwell: I believe we are going to move forward to a time when if you cannot open a mine that is going to be profitable enough to do filter-pressed tailings, you are probably
not going to be allowed to open the mine at all. There’s no question that filter-pressed tailings are relatively cost-effective to close, and can be closed to be stable in the long term. At the Tailings and Mine Waste conference last year, Steve Vick stood up and said that the concept that we can have water covers on tailings is dead. Of course, a lot of people disagreed with him, but he’s right. We’ve got to get the water out of and away from these tailings in the long term. Mines that need water covers shouldn’t be built. If you look at Directive 74 in Alberta, while it’s not elegant, its intention is to make sure that the tailings are not liquid and flowable. To the credit of the oil sands industry, they are trying very hard and spending large sums of money seeking to move in that direction. Right now we’re doing a job for a company where we’re looking at cement stabilization of the filter-pressed tailings. That’s going a lot further. The Marlin mine in Guatemala is also doing cement stabilization. I think filter-pressed tailings are suitable to all environments. The costs depend on the cost of water. In northern Chile, if you’ve got to desalinate the water and pump it 3,000 metres up and 300 kilometres inland, it might actually be cheaper to filter-press. CIM: What about in Canada, where it is cold and wet? Caldwell: Keep in mind that Greens Creek, in Alaska, which was the first one to press tailings, is not a dry climate – that’s as wet as it gets. In fact, that was the reason we went for filterpressed tailings. It was so wet we couldn’t control the water – it was just too much and we couldn’t deal with it. Thirty years later, it’s still going great. CIM ACHIEVEMENTS Caterpillar’s HR chief makes Top 10 list Kimberly Hauer, vice-president and chief human resources officer at Caterpillar, was named a Top 10 Breakaway Leader at the 2012 Global HR Leadership summit’s awards gala dinner. This honour is bestowed on individuals who are instrumental in engaging and developing the future’s global workforce. “Breakaway leadership is a state of mind that constantly considers the opportunities to add superior value to the business, and it’s such an honour to represent Caterpillar while receiving this award,” said Hauer. “The evolution of the HR community into a team that provides Caterpillar a global, competitive advantage with business-driven solutions makes me very proud.”
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Supporting greenfield exploration in Canada By Dan Zlotnikov
Courtesy of Sander Geophysics
In a land mass as large as Canada, the toughest choice for explorers can be where to start. Yes, there is potential to strike it rich, but the odds favour striking out. So how do exploration companies hone in on those key spots that hold so much promise? Part of the answer, says Nadim Kara, senior program director at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), is the availability of regional survey data. Kara, whose association is the national voice for the Canadian exploration industry, says “public geoscience investments can help focus industry investment and expertise in the most promising areas, improving the odds of success.” One district that is attracting attention is the Quesnel terrane in B.C., where the QUEST regional surveys have been conducted by Geoscience BC since 2007. QUEST, which stands for “Quesnellia Exploration Strategy,” revealed secrets in the region where, according to Geoscience BC president and CEO ’Lyn Anglin, most of the rock outcrops were hidden under a thick layer of glacier cover, effectively dissuading most explorers. There were two projects – QUEST and QUEST West – which covered over 86,000 square kilometres of territory with airborne gravity and electromagnetic surveys. They collected over 3,200 new stream and lake sediment samples and re-analyzed more than 8,700 archived samples at a cost of some $10 million. The impact quickly became evident: a 2010 economic assessment conducted by Geoscience BC found around 1.2 million hectares of new staking, a 36 per cent increase over the pre-survey baseline. The first staking rush happened after the mere announcement of the planned surveys. The assessment also identified that between $8 million and $11 million had been spent on exploration in the two years from the start of the projects. And Anglin reports it is still going strong. The survey has created very real benefits for companies working in the area – case in point: a joint venture between juniors Serengeti and Fjordland, aptly named “QUEST JV.” Xstrata optioned some of the joint venture land in 2011, and in a letter to shareholders this past January, Serengeti president and CEO David Moore announced that Xstrata was looking at drilling “an attractive target on one of the properties.”
Geoscience BC’s Quest project included airborne electromagnetic and gravity surveys between Williams Lake and Mackenzie in central British Columbia. February 2013 | 53
Well-funded surveys are also making a big difference in Nunavut. The Melville Peninsula was selected as one of the projects under Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program, says Donna Kirkwood, director general of the Central and Northern Canada Branch at the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). From 2009 to 2011, GSC surficial mapping efforts covered some 53,000 square kilometres, and the 2010 field program yielded discovery of significant nickel and copper mineralization on the western side of the peninsula. Following the nickel find, Vale began exploration on the peninsula last year, establishing a 30-person camp with plans for a multi-year exploration program, should the first year yield positive results. Kirkwood says the freely available data generated by the GEM program was an important catalyst for Vale’s project.
Damage control Mineral exploration key for post-pine beetle communities By Dan Zlotnikov
Derailed by details Of course, there are a lot of factors that make a jurisdiction appealing for explorers, and survey data only goes so far. As Kirkwood puts it, government surveys may have identified promising haystacks, but it is the private explorers who must work through them to find the coveted needles. The search for that elusive deposit is both a laborious and unavoidably costly process; and securing the capital necessary for exploration can be a challenge when times are lean and investors are leery of risk. Canada’s federal government has worked to address this through “super flow-through shares,” says Kara. By purchasing these shares, investors in greenfield exploration can have access to a 15 per cent federal tax credit and a 100 per cent deduction from taxable income of the invested amount, drastically reducing their financial risk. Some provinces offer additional tax incentives that result in the net cost to the investor being less than half the original cost – this is the case in most provinces. But the 15 per cent tax credit program must be renewed annually, and not knowing if the tax incentives will be there the following year makes long-term planning an arduous task. “As a junior, you raise all this money and you’ve got to shove it out the door to meet the deadlines inherent with a tax credit that expires annually,” Kara says, explaining why PDAC has been lobbying to have the mineral exploration tax credit (METC) extended for three years, as opposed to the customary one-year extension. “Establishing the METC as a three-year initiative would give juniors the ability to better manage periods of ‘investment drought,’” he adds. Lou Covello, past-president of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and a consulting geologist with 40 years of experience in Canada’s North, points to another vital consideration: access to land. The more targets available for exploration, he says, the better the chances for explorers to make a discovery. “Right now in the Northwest Territories, we have about 28 per cent 54 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Regional surveys can quickly stimulate new exploration activity in previously underexplored regions, but which regions those target can be guided by more than mere geological promise. Geoscience BC president and CEO ’Lyn Anglin explains that when her organization began talking to the communities in the planned QUEST survey area, it came into contact with the Beetle Action Coalitions (BACs) – groups established to help forestry-reliant communities adapt after the mountain pine beetle devastated the region’s forests. The Omineca BAC, in particular, was instrumental in connecting Geoscience BC with communities that expressed a strong interest in the project’s economic potential. Following the publication of QUEST survey data – and the consequent staking rush – Geoscience BC was back, speaking to local communities about the planned QUEST West project. “Communities were saying ‘we want you to do here what you did there,’ and pointing to the original QUEST project,” says Anglin. The success of those surveys was due in part to a partnership between Geoscience BC and the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT). The trust contributed almost $2 million out of its mountain pine beetle recovery account to Geoscience BC. Part of this funding allowed Geoscience BC to extend its QUEST coverage to include the area around Mackenzie and Fort St. James, “two communities that were almost 100 per cent forestrydependent and really concerned about their futures,” Anglin says. The success of the QUEST project also led to an additional contribution of $6 million to Geoscience BC from the provincial government for the QUEST-West project, which, along with the NDIT funding, allowed Geoscience BC to undertake that survey and include a much larger area than originally planned. Importantly, Anglin adds, the two surveys may yield fruit relatively quickly. “Everyone says ‘we want a mine.’ Well, it’s often 15 to 20 years of exploration before someone finds one, and we don’t know if they will, or where it will be. But all that exploration activity brings economic value to communities in the short term.”
Courtesy of Sander Geophysics
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the most effective way of limiting the amount of ground that’s alienated by the mining companies.” With worldwide competition for exploration dollars, Canadian jurisdictions anxious for prospecting activity will need to pull in explorers. It will be crucial for them to control any risks they can and highlight the promises buried within their boundaries.
Brownfield exploration revisited Courtesy of Geoscience BC
Many government programs focus on supporting greenfield exploration, but that does not mean existing operators are left to their own devices. There are initiatives that specifically earmark brownfield locales. The Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI) is a federal program whose most recent five-year, $25-million phase aimed to increase base metal reserves in mature mining areas. In total, the initiative enabled over $220 million in private exploration spending across seven provinces, including $30 million from Hudbay Minerals, and the company’s subsequent base metal reserve increase.
Quest survey geologists at Gold Reach Resources’ Seel property in central B.C.
of the land alienated through a combination of provincial parks, protected areas, withdrawal zones, and so on,” he says. “That’s a very significant amount of land, and a lot of it is in areas that have traditionally seen a lot of exploration.” Covello argues such withdrawals have a lasting impact. “B.C. and Yukon, which in the 1990s had governments that did not support exploration, saw their exploration expenditures go to very low levels,” he recalls. “It took about 10 years to build them up again in a much more favourable environment.” Tom Hoefer, executive director of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, agrees with Covello’s point of view, but adds there are a number of initiatives aimed at reinvigorating exploration in the North: the N.W.T. government is about to launch a mineral development strategy in an effort to increase exploration. The territory’s finance minister, when he presented his government’s budget last May, acknowledged the need to “address exploration expenditures well below historical highs and unfavourable industry perceptions of the Northwest Territories’ regulatory regime.” The Chamber of Mines itself signed a memorandum of understanding with the Akaitcho First Nations in 2011, with the goal of collaborating “towards mutually beneficial mineral exploration and development in the Akaitcho territory,” says Hoefer. Another drag on new exploration is due to players in the resource sector itself, laments Covello. Companies can hold a claim at minimal expense for 10 years and can then convert the claim into a lease. “Even if your pockets aren’t that deep, you can hold that ground for two, even three, 21-year lease periods,” he says. “Effectively, that ground is taken away from the public domain for as much as 70 years, and no one else is allowed to explore on it. “What we need to do is limit leases to ground where there’s a demonstrable resource,” Covello suggests. “How you define that resource would be up to the lawyers, but that would be
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Courtesy of Huckleberry Mines Ltd.
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Data provided by the Quest survey helped direct drilling at the Huckleberry mine. The copper-silver-molybdenum operation, once slated to close in 2013, is now expected to continue producing until 2021.
Sometimes, however, brownfield projects can benefit directly from data intended for greenfield explorers. This happened with Huckleberry Mines Ltd.’s copper-silvermolybdenum operation in west-central British Columbia. An
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exploration drive in 2004 and 2005 pushed the original closure date from 2007 to 2013, says Justin Schroff, a geologist at the mine. After the initial mine life extension, the company looked once more to expand the resource – and one key asset was the regional geophysics data collected by Geoscience BC during its 2007 QUEST project. “The data collected by Geoscience BC formed part of the rationalization for a couple of holes drilled in late 2009, including the deepest hole we have drilled to date at that point,” says Schroff. “[Geoscience BC] produced clean, reliable datasets that helped us justify drilling those holes.” The Geoscience BC data was not the only thing that led to what they found, but every bit of understanding and insight contributes to the geological model, Schroff explains. “Before you spend $100,000 on a drill hole, you really need to develop a full geological understanding of your target.” The work in 2009 has extended the mine life to 2021 and brought with it a projected $150 million of capital expenditures on a new waste rock facility, purchase of new trucks, shovels and haul trucks, renovations to the camp, and the hiring of 80 new employees. But, as Schroff points out, being an operator does not preclude a company from seeking new greenfield discoveries. “We’re always poking around in the mine site area here and outside of it for new targets,” he says. “We were able to use the electromagnetic data gathered by Geoscience BC to develop and conduct a robust soil and rock sampling program in 2009 as well. That produced some interesting anomalies that may form the objective for a future exploration program. “Even though we’re an operating mine and a brownfield project, we still have grassroots interests here,” he notes. “All mining companies do; that’s our future.” CIM
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Depuis 5 ans, le programme GEM se concentre au tracé d’une carte de l’Arctique, afin d’identifier le potentiel d’implémentation d’une ressource d’extraction. L’initiative financée par le fédéral se termine cette année.
D’EXPLORER Appui à l’exploration des zones vertes au Canada par Dan Zlotnikov Dans une contrée aussi vaste que le Canada, le choix le plus difficile qui s’impose aux explorateurs est bien de savoir par où commencer. S’il existe un réel potentiel d’enrichissement, les chances d’y parvenir sont minces. Alors, comment font les sociétés d’exploration pour cibler les endroits stratégiques qui offrent tant de promesses? Selon Nadim Kara, directeur principal de programme de l’Association canadienne des prospecteurs et des entrepreneurs (ACPE), la réponse se trouve en partie dans la disponibilité des données d’enquêtes régionales. M. Kara, dont l’association pour laquelle il travaille représente la voie nationale de l’industrie d’exploration au Canada, mentionne que « les investissements publics en sciences de la terre peuvent contribuer à concentrer les investissements et l’expertise de l’industrie vers les secteurs les plus prometteurs, améliorant du coup les chances de succès ». Les regards se tournent de plus en plus vers un district en particulier, le terrane de Quesnel en Colombie-Britannique, où Geoscience BC mène des enquêtes régionales dans le cadre du projet QUEST depuis 2007. D’après Lyn Anglin, présidente et chef de la direction, QUEST (qui signifie « Quesnellia Exploration Strategy ») a révélé les secrets d’une région où la majorité des affleurements rocheux étaient dissimulés sous une épaisse couche de glace, dissuadant évidemment la plupart des explorateurs. Dans le cadre de deux 58 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
projets – QUEST et QUEST West – couvrant plus de 86 000 kilomètres carrés de territoire, on a effectué des levés gravimétriques et électromagnétiques aériens, qui ont permis de recueillir 3 200 nouveaux échantillons de sédiments de ruisseaux et de lacs et d’analyser de nouveau plus de 8 700 échantillons archivés, au coût de près de 10 millions de dollars. Les répercussions ont été quasi immédiates : une évaluation économique en 2010, réalisée par Geoscience BC, a révélé environ 1,2 million d’hectares de nouveaux jalonnements, une augmentation de 36 pour cent par rapport au niveau avant l’enquête. La première poussée de jalonnement est survenue après la simple annonce des enquêtes projetées. L’évaluation a également relevé qu’entre 8 millions et 11 millions de dollars avaient été investis dans l’exploration au cours des deux années suivant le début des projets. Selon Anglin, cette situation est toujours aussi vigoureuse. L’enquête a dégagé de réels avantages pour les entreprises œuvrant dans la zone. Concrètement : un partenariat entre les petites sociétés Serengeti et Fjordland, nommé « QUEST JV ». Xstrata a exercé une option sur une partie de la terre conjointe en 2011, et dans une lettre destinée aux actionnaires datant de janvier dernier, le président et chef de la direction de Serengeti, David Moore, a annoncé que la société Xstrata envisageait un forage, « une cible bien intéressante sur l’une des propriétés. »
Courtoisie de RNCan
LA MOTIVATION
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Des enquêtes bien financées font également une grande différence au Nunavut. La presqu’île Melville a été sélectionnée à titre de projet dans le cadre du programme de géocartographie de l’énergie et des minéraux (GEM) de Ressources naturelles Canada (RNCan), rapporte Donna Kirkwood, directrice générale du Centre et du Nord du Canada de la Commission géologique du Canada (GSC). De 2009 à 2011, les efforts déployés par la GSC pour la cartographie de surface couvraient près de 53 000 kilomètres carrés, et le programme sur le terrain en 2010 a permis la découverte d’une minéralisation considérable de nickel et de cuivre sur la partie ouest de la presqu’île. Après la découverte du nickel, Vale a commencé l’exploration sur la presqu’île l’an dernier, constituant un camp pour 30 personnes et prévoyant un programme d’exploration s’échelonnant sur plusieurs années, sur la base de résultats positifs produits pendant la première année. Selon Kirkwood, l’accès libre aux données générées par le programme GEM a été un catalyseur important pour le projet Vale.
Dérapage à cause des détails Bien entendu, de nombreux facteurs rendent un endroit attirant pour les explorateurs et les données d’enquête ont leurs limites. Comme le dit Kirkwood, les enquêtes menées par le gouvernement peuvent bien avoir cerné des zones prometteuses, mais c’est aux explorateurs privés à qui incombe le travail de recherche pour arriver jusqu’au trésor convoité. La recherche de ce dépôt insaisissable s’avère un processus aussi laborieux que coûteux; et s’assurer du capital nécessaire à l’exploration peut représenter un défi lors de périodes difficiles alors que les investisseurs sont frileux. Le gouvernement fédéral du Canada a déployé des efforts pour résoudre ce problème par le biais de « super actions accréditives », indique Kara. En achetant ces actions, les investisseurs axés sur l’exploration des « zones vertes » peuvent avoir droit à un crédit d’impôt de 15 pour cent et une déduction de 100 pour cent du revenu imposable du montant investi, ce qui réduit de façon importante leur risque sur le plan financier. Certaines provinces offrent des incitatifs fiscaux additionnels qui font en sorte de réduire le coût net de l’investisseur à moins de la moitié du coût d’origine – c’est le cas dans la plupart des provinces. Cependant, le programme de crédit d’impôt de 15 pour cent doit être renouvelé annuellement, et en ne sachant pas si les incitatifs fiscaux seront au rendez-vous l’an prochain, cela complique grandement la planification à long terme. « En tant que petite société, vous amassez cet argent et vous n’avez d’autre choix que de le dépenser rapidement pour respecter les échéances associées à un crédit d’impôt qui expire annuellement », souligne Kara, expliquant pourquoi l’ACPE a exercé tant de pression politique pour que le crédit d’impôt d’exploration minière soit prolongé de trois ans, plutôt que de le prolonger d’une année à la fois. « L’instauration de ce crédit sur trois ans donnerait ainsi aux petites sociétés la capacité de mieux gérer les périodes où les investissements se font rares », ajoute-t-il.
Lou Covello, ancien président de NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines et géologue-conseil ayant 40 ans d’expérience dans le nord du Canada, soulève une autre considération essentielle : l’accès à la terre. Plus il y a de cibles disponibles aux fins d’exploration, dit-il, plus les explorateurs ont de chances de faire des découvertes. « À l’heure actuelle, dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest, nous avons aliéné environ 28 pour cent des terres en les consacrant aux parcs provinciaux, zones protégées, zones de retrait, etc. », mentionne-t-il. « Cela représente une énorme portion de terre, et une bonne partie de ces terres se trouve dans des zones qui ont traditionnellement fait l’objet d’exploration. » Covello affirme que de tels retraits ont des impacts tenaces. « La Colombie-Britannique et le Yukon, qui ont connu des gouvernements qui n’appuyaient pas l’exploration au cours des années 90, ont vu leurs dépenses d’exploration atteindre des niveaux très bas », rappelle-t-il. « Cela a pris environ 10 ans pour les reconstituer dans un environnement plus favorable. » Tom Hoefer, directeur général de la NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, partage le même sentiment que Covello, mais ajoute toutefois qu’un certain nombre d’initiatives existent et ciblent la redynamisation de l’exploration dans le Nord : le gouvernement des T.N.-O. s’apprête à lancer une stratégie de développement minier dans le but d’augmenter l’exploration. Au moment de présenter le budget de son gouvernement en mai dernier, le ministre des Finances du territoire a reconnu la nécessité de « tenir compte des dépenses d’exploration qui ont atteint des niveaux bien en dessous des niveaux historiquement hauts et des perceptions défavorables de l’industrie envers le régime de réglementation des Territoires du Nord-Ouest. » La Chamber of Mines a elle-même signé un protocole d’entente avec les Premières nations de l’Akaitcho en 2011, dans le but d’établir une collaboration « envers un développement et une exploration minière mutuellement avantageuse sur le territoire de l’Akaitcho », souligne Hoefer. Covello déplore que les acteurs du secteur des ressources eux-mêmes nuisent aux nouvelles explorations. Les entreprises peuvent détenir un claim à un coût minime pendant 10 ans et ensuite le convertir en un bail. « Peu importe que vous ayez peu de moyens, vous pouvez garder ce sol pendant deux, voire trois périodes de bail de 21 ans », ajoute-t-il. « Dans les faits, ce sol peut être retiré du domaine public aussi longtemps que 70 ans, et personne n’est autorisé à y réaliser des explorations. » « Nous devons limiter les baux sur les sols qui présentent une ressource démontrée », suggère Covello. « La manière de définir cette ressource relèverait des avocats, mais ce serait le moyen le plus efficace de limiter la superficie de sol aliénée par les sociétés minières. » Compte tenu du nombre de pays qui se livrent la concurrence pour gagner les dollars provenant de l’exploration, les provinces et les territoires du Canada impatients de connaître une activité d’exploration devront attirer les explorateurs. Ce sera alors vital pour eux de maîtriser tous les risques qu’ils peuvent et de faire ressortir les promesses enfouies dans leurs zones. ICM February 2013 | 59
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Geoscience Deeper understanding TECHNOLOGY >>
By Zoë Macintosh
The most accessible ore bodies, typically surface deposits, have already been found – the mines of tomorrow lie buried at depths and in terrains that have defied exploration. Advances and innovative applications of existing technology, however, are expanding the frontiers of discovery to help explorers more precisely locate economically significant ore bodies – both before and during drilling.
Courtesy of Abitibi Geophysics
New geophysical sensors
Eric Gilbert of Abitibi Geophysics takes readings with an assembly of ARMIT sensors in Matagami, Quebec. The grey box translates electromagnetic flux sensed in the centre of each black rod, or ARMIT sensor, into digital data.
Surveys that map the reflected energy of subsurface conductors blasted with electromagnetic (EM) waves are already helping miners explore much of Canada’s uncharted territory; the method was instrumental in their discovery of the Reed Lake nickel deposit in Manitoba. But two geophysical instruments that became commercially available in the last year will push visibility of subsurface ore bodies to an unprecedented depth: B-field coils and micro-scale gravity sensors. A million times more sensitive than conventional magnetometers, B-field coils such as the ARMIT, developed by Abitibi Geophysics rival expensive superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) in their sensitivity to conductive ore covered by deep overburden. The technology sprung from the medical industry before modifications for geophysical applications by James Macnae, a geophysics professor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia. Magnetometers, or EM coil sensors, measure the electromagnetic flux across a loop of copper wires to detect very small magnetic fields in their vicinity. While other coil EM sensors used by Abitibi Geophysics have detected deposits at a depth of 450 metres, the next generation ARMIT coil extends the reach of EM surveys to 1,000 metres, according to Roman Wasylechko, a marketing manager for the company. Last September, the company completed the first field survey using ARMIT technology that was commercialized in 2012. Results from the test site in Caber, Quebec, showed the sensor cajoled an “outstandingly clear” response from a bedrock deposit covered by conductive overburden, Wasylechko says. The femtotesla sensitivity and high signal-to-noise envelope that ARMIT offers was formerly available only through the use of SQUID, which was developed by the Institute of Photonic Technology (IPhT) in Germany. Both “high” and “low” temperature versions of the SQUID require cryogenic cooling in a vacuum vessel in the interior of the apparatus. Unlike these, the ARMIT coil February 2013 | 61
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Courtesy of Scintrex
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Modern electronics permit gravity sensors the size of golf balls to fit down slender boreholes.
large and were limited to the large holes used for petroleum exploration. Since the tool can uniquely detect the mass of offhole structures underground, the Gravilog offers explorers early estimates of ore body tonnage, which is “something of great value to mining companies,” says Nind. Because it detects excess mass within a few hundred metres of the hole, the instrument also reduces the number, and with that the cost, of drill holes needed to begin with. For temperatures below 75 C and pressures below 4,500 pounds per square inch (PSI), the Gravilog can be used in holes deeper than two kilometres, says Nind.
Geochemical plunge
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Courtesy of Photonic Knowledge
operates at ambient temperatures, says Wasylechko. A nanoengineered material in the coil’s hollow permits its internal currents and associated magnetic fields to flow for a long time without decaying, similar to how superconductors react to EM stimuli but without the need for zero resistance. “If you can make these things cheap enough, in my view it will take over the electromagnetic part of mineral exploration,” says Dennis Woods of Discovery International Geophysics, a Canadian company that used high-temperature SQUID sensors to better define the celebrated Lalor deposit in the Snow Lake area – a high-tonnage formation found 1,200 metres underground. While B-field coils are less sensitive than the SQUID at very low frequencies, their lower price margin could enable their use in a distributed array of 50 or more to dramatically improve electromagnetic imaging underground, says Woods. Comparing the future application to current seismic surveys used for oil exploration, Woods adds: “It’s getting closer and closer to sonograms of a pregnant woman. [Mineral explorers] want images that are every bit that good.” Discovery International is currently developing its own commercial version of the B-field coil in collaboration with San Diego’s GroundMetrics. In the gravity survey domain, a long-awaited tool already gives mineral explorers an advantage previously enjoyed by those in the petroleum sector. Gravilog by Scintrex, based in Concord, Ontario, is the first and only gravity sensor to fit inside slender boreholes specific to mineral exploration. Gravity surveys measure the subtle changes in gravity caused by massive nearby structures. Their importance to exploration follows from their ability to pick out heavy metals like copper from low-density conductors, such as graphite, which look similar in electromagnetic readings. “If you start drilling all your conductors you are going to go broke fast,” says Chris Nind, CEO of Scintrex. The company developed the two-inch-diameter sensor with funding from CAMIRO, a mining consortium responsive to the needs of industry. In the past, borehole gravity meters were twice as
Three up-and-coming technologies increase a geochemist’s capacity to pinpoint drill targets for ore bodies located deep underground. With its hybrid between X-ray diffraction and hyperspectral imaging, Rosemere, Quebecbased Photonic Knowledge offers high-volume mineral analysis of drill cores thanks to an innovative division of labour between two different technologies. In one recent project, they completed 80,000 metres of analysis in 65 days, compared to the two years required for that amount by manual geological logging.
Photonic Knowledge’s core mapper camera commences comprehensive imaging of core samples.
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Centre: A 3D-Spatiotemporal Geochemical Hydrocarbon model used to interpret SGH survey data. Colours depict pathways traversed by hydrocarbons through the ground as they migrate from living and dying bacteria that coat ore bodies. Purple spreads widely because it represents a heavier or slower hydrocarbon class. Their overall symmetry produces a "high level of confidence" in their indication of mineralization, says Actlabs’ Dale Sutherland.
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the information behind every mineral’s hyperspectralX-ray relationship in a sample. Another novel technology that promises to change exploration priorities is a method developed by Activation Laboratories of using decomposition products of bacteria to detect ore bodies as an alternative to direct sampling’s reliance on inorganic rock. The new technique has had success in detecting mineralization at a depth of 950 metres. The geochemical method, known as soil gas hydrocarbon (SGH), uses the chemical remains of bacteria that fed on ore during their lifetimes as drill markers. Invented 16 years ago by Actlabs in Ontario, the nanotechnology has attracted growing attention for its success in identifying ore in the boggy, mossy environments that define Canada’s North. Ground conditions and lack of outcrop in these settings prevent the collection of the type of sample needed for traditional geochemistry. While bacteria eat all types of inorganic material to catalyze their energy, natural sulphidic accumulation in many metals makes it a common flag for deposits, namely: copper, silver, zinc, lead, nickel, base metals and volcanic massive sulphides. Unlike other forms of ore discovery, SGH relies on collection of near-surface materials and does not require augering. A fist-sized sample of snow, soil, humus, peat or lake bottom sediment is sufficient for a parts-pertrillion analysis of 162 hydrocarbons, whose groupings act as forensic signatures, says Dale Sutherland, the technique’s inventor. Not only can these decomposition products distinguish a uranium deposit from iron or copper, their tendency to migrate towards the surface over time means that
X-ray diffraction can distinguish among oxides of the same element. That is especially important for exploration in some brownfield deposits, where iron mining waste can produce high readings in rock that contains relatively little iron ore. But while it is suitable for 3,000-metre drill programs, X-ray diffraction becomes prohibitively time-consuming and expensive at the 50,000-metre scale, according to Éric Roberge, CEO of Photonic Knowledge. “It’s like walking from Toronto to Paris. Forget it!” he says. Instead, the company uses X-ray diffraction selectively – as a tuning key, not as a primary logger – for signatures collected through rapid, ongoing hyperspectral imaging. The difference means junior mining companies can afford a top-to-bottom core analysis generally pursued only by richer miners. The company charges from $10 to $20 per metre for the full analysis. The technology is able to determine attributes too subtle for the human eye, which can then be registered and stored permanently. Commercialized in 2011, the service employs a patented high-resolution camera to capture 1.5 million spectra of a 25-metre drill core sample in just 10 GEOSPATIAL minutes. Three hundred monochroSOLUTIONS matic images taken in rapid succession yield the full visible and infrared spect 5PQPHSBQIJD NBQQJOH trum for each square millimetre or pixel t (FPMPHJDBM BOBMZTJT of a sample. t .JOFSBM QPUFOUJBM “Once confirmed [by X-ray diffract % HFPMPHJDBM NPEFM tion] that a particular mineral is, for t .JOJOH FOWJSPONFOU example, a gold-bearing pyrite, we know that all pixels matched by this spectrum will be gold-bearing pyrite,” Roberge points out. Companies use the software to both recommend drill locaPlease contact us to plan a meeting at PDAC 2013 tions in real time and enable discoveries effigis.com I Formerly VIASAT GeoTechnologies I T + 1 514 495-6500 in future years, as a database preserves
The reference for the past 20 years
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technology
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GEOSCIENCE
Courtesy of Actlabs
shallow sampling can predict a wide variety mineralization at much greater depth. “People can take a sample from within one metre below the surface and we can detect these hydrocarbons even in the snow crystals,” says Sutherland, who is also director of research at Activation Laboratories, which markets the technique as a service to interested exploration companies. A similar approach known as organosulphur geochemistry (OSG), commercialized in 2012, could offer higher precision and more economical drill targeting because it identifies a suite of rare compounds, Sutherland explains. Over the past year, Aura Silver Resources used OSG in conjunction with SGH to guide drill targets for silver and gold in the greenfield exploration of its Greyhound project in Nunavut. Geochemical sampling in northern Ontario
FACULTY POSITION IN MINING ENGINEERING
McGill University The Department of Mining and Materials Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at McGill University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the area of Sustainable Development of Mineral Resources (including mining and minerals processing). McGill University is a leading research intensive academic institution in Canada, attracting over one-half billion dollars in competitive research funding each year. The position is preferably at the Assistant Professor level, but outstanding senior candidates are also encouraged to apply. Salary will be commensurate with rank and experience. The successful candidate will have a background in any of the traditional engineering areas, but she or he must be able to play an effective role in the undergraduate mining program with regard to delivering mining courses and maintain McGill’s international reputation of excellence in research and teaching. We are seeking highly qualified candidates with expertise in any area under sustainable development of mineral resources and mining engineering including environment, industrial and operations engineering, and computational mining systems, or any related area. Candidates must have a Ph.D., preferably with a first degree in engineering, and a strong commitment to excellence in research and teaching; industrial experience would be considered an asset. Evidence of outstanding research achievement, or research potential, is indispensable. Membership or eligibility for membership in a Canadian professional engineering association is required. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and to ensure optimal consideration, applications must be submitted by March 31, 2013. The Faculty intends to fill the position by August 1, 2013. Interested candidates should submit their resume, a statement of teaching and research interests, names and addresses of three referees, and copies of recent publications to: Professor Stephen Yue – Chair, Department of Mining and Materials Engineering McGill University, 3610 University Street, Room 2120, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0C5 Email (preferred): position.mm@mcgill.ca All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. McGill University is committed to equity in employment and diversity. It welcomes applications from Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities, women, and others who may contribute to diversification. Please reference the source of the advertisement when applying for, or inquiring about, this job announcement.
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Nevertheless, the Ontario Geological Survey has reported that SGH can be used alone to identify “highest priority targets.” Results from a survey of lake sediment conducted in the Ring of Fire showed that known deposits “impart a significant signal” through SGH despite the wide spacing of the samples over a 3,000-square-kilometre area and thick underlying bedrock. The March 2012 report noted “profound implications on the assessment of mineral potential and the search for metallic ore bodies in the Far North.” Now, with these tools becoming increasingly available, the challenge falls to the explorers to determine how deep the impact on the exploration sector will be. CIM GIVING BACK Student engagement gets Golder nod Golder Associates Ltd. and the Canadian Urban Institute co-presented the 2012 Making Great Places Award to a student who found a creative way to build sustainability into cities and communities. Aimée Brisebois, a graduate student at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, combined environmental toxicology research with her love for sustainable community development. Golder, which sponsored the conference, strongly supports student engagement. “We understand the importance of engaging future generations around the world and the value of helping students develop relationships with those who have been successful in the field for years,” said Jeanette Southwood, global and Canadian sustainable cities leader, Golder. The award was given at the national conference, “Making Great Places,” last October. The conference targets the redevelopment of underused properties for more sustainable, exciting and livable cities and communities.
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PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
PROGRAMME PRÉLIMINAIRE MAY 5 TO 8, 2013 . 5 AU 8 MAI 2013
Metro Toronto Convention Centre | Palais des congrès du Toronto métropolitain
CONTENTS | CONTENU
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE | COMITÉ ORGANISATEUR CIM PRESIDENT PRÉSIDENT DE L’ICM Terence F. Bowles
WORKSHOPS ATELIERS Chantal Murphy
CIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DIRECTEUR EXÉCUTIF DE L’ICM Jean Vavrek
GUEST PROGRAM PROGRAMME DES INVITÉS Nancy MacNab
CONVENTION GENERAL CO-CHAIRS CO-PRÉSIDENTS DU CONGRÈS Tom Rannelli Terence F. Bowles
M4S – THE EDUCATIONAL PUBLIC SHOW ON MINING, METALS, MINERALS & MATERIALS M4S — LE SALON SUR LES MINES, MÉTAUX, MINÉRAUX ET MATÉRIAUX Marty Dregischan Lucie Vincent
SPONSORSHIP COMMANDITES Jean Vavrek TECHNICAL PROGRAM PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE Tom Rannelli DIRECTOR OF EVENTS DIRECTRICE DES ÉVÉNEMENTS Lise Bujold STUDENT PROGRAM PROGRAMME DES ÉTUDIANTS Robertina Pillo
EXHIBITION & JOB FAIR SALON COMMERCIAL ET FOIRE DE L’EMPLOI Martin Bell Nadia Bakka CONVENTION COORDINATOR COORDONNATRICE DU CONGRÈS Magali Gloutnay REGISTRATION & CUSTOMER CARE INSCRIPTIONS ET ASSISTANCE À LA CLIENTÈLE Carol Lee
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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WELCOME BIENVENUE
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SPONSORS COMMANDITAIRES
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WORKSHOPS ATELIERS
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STUDENT PROGRAM PROGRAMME ÉTUDIANT
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TECHNICAL PROGRAM PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE
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PLENARY PLÉNIÈRE
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CIM JOB FAIR SALON DE L’EMPLOI
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M4S
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WOMEN IN MINING FORUM FEMMES EN EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE
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FACE TO FACE FACE À FACE
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NETWORKING BY DESIGN BREAKFASTS
85
MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE DAY JOURNÉE DE GESTION ET FINANCE
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GUEST PROGRAM PROGRAMME DES INVITÉS
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SOCIAL PROGRAM PROGRAMME SOCIAL
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WELCOME TO | BIENVENUE À
TORONTO! “Global Leadership – the Courage to Change” General Co-Chairs | Co-présidents généraux « Leadership mondial : Oser le changement » est le thème qui sera exploré au Congrès de is the theme to be explored at the 2013 CIM l’ICM 2013 à Toronto. Il présente la direction et le Convention in Toronto. It will set the direction and tone of the presentations, dialogues and ton des présentations, échanges et débats qui se face-to-face exchanges over the course of the tiendront durant le congrès. L’industrie minière doit convention. The mining industry continues to toujours relever les défis que présente la gestion face the challenges of managing tremendous d’une croissance extraordinaire dans le contexte growth against the backdrop of a shifting global d’une politique mondiale changeante et d’un super political landscape and an unpredictable supercycle imprévisible. Cet événement annuel de Tom Rannelli Terence F. Bowles cycle. This signature event of the Canadian l’Institut canadien des mines, de la métallurgie et du Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) promises to be the pétrole (ICM) s’annonce l’événement de l’année dans le milieu minier. mining event of the year. Lors de la séance plénière, des conférenciers de haut calibre donneront le The Plenary Session will open the convention with powerful speakers. coup d’envoi au congrès. Les dirigeants influents de l’industrie ci-après ont These influential industry executives have confirmed their participation: confirmé leur participation : Egizio Bianchini, BMO Marchés des capitaux; Egizio Bianchini, BMO Capital Markets; Chris Lewicki, Planetary Chris Lewicki, Planetary Resources; Richard A. Ross, Schulich School of Resources; Richard A. Ross, Schulich School of Business; and Zoë Business; et Zoë Yujnovich, Compagnie minière IOC. D’autres invités Yujnovich, Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC). More will be announced. s’ajouteront. The Technical Program will feature six streams: Operations & Maintenance Best Practices; Leadership in Investment & Management; Social & Environmental Responsibility; Rock Mechanics and Geology Advancements; New Frontiers/Open Innovations; and Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium. CIM’s societies are hard at work preparing to deliver the most current research their sectors have to offer.
Le programme technique aura six volets : Pratiques d’excellence en exploitation et entretien, Leadership en investissement et gestion, Responsabilités sociales et environnementales, La mécanique des roches et les avancées géologiques, Nouvelles frontières et innovation ouverte, et Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium. Les sociétés de l’ICM travaillent fort à préparer la présentation de la recherche la plus récente qui se fait dans leur secteur.
The CIM Exhibition, sold out again this year, is the opportunity to make the connections necessary to drive design, purchasing and operational decisions. With over 400 exhibiting companies, it is a must-attend show for every major player in the mining sector.
Le Salon commercial de l’ICM, qui affiche complet encore une fois cette année, est l’occasion idéale de tisser les liens qui influenceront les décisions relatives à la conception, aux acquisitions et à l’exploitation. Avec plus de 400 entreprises exposantes, c’est un salon incontournable pour tous les grands acteurs du secteur minier.
If you are from Toronto or are in the area early, please join us at the Mining for Society (M4S) public educational and interactive show on mining, minerals, metals and materials. It runs from May 2 to 4 and everyone is welcome to explore the pavilions and learn a little more about the life cycle of mining and its role in our everyday lives. The 2013 CIM Convention will build on the successes of previous years. A steady growth in the numbers of delegates, exhibitors, and energy continues to attract the most relevant speakers and dynamic presentations as the industry comes together to focus on exploring operational and managerial excellence across all facets of mining. Please join us for the 2013 CIM Convention – where the business of mining happens!
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Si vous habitez Toronto ou si vous arrivez dans la région en avance, joignez-vous à nous au salon M4S pour l’exposition éducative et interactive ouverte au public sur les mines, minéraux, métaux et matériaux. Il se déroulera du 2 au 4 mai et tous peuvent visiter les pavillons et en apprendre un peu plus sur le cycle minier et son rôle au quotidien. Le Congrès de l’ICM 2013 à Toronto est fort de son succès des années précédentes. La croissance soutenue du nombre de congressistes et d’exposants ainsi que son énergie inégalée attire les conférenciers les plus recherchés et des présentations dynamiques, alors que l’industrie se rassemble pour mettre l’accent sur des solutions d’excellence dans l’exploitation et la gestion sous tous les aspects de l’industrie minière. Veuillez vous joindre à nous pour le Congrès de l’ICM 2013 à Toronto. L'industrie minière, c'est l'affaire de l'ICM.
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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Take advantage of early-bird registration prices. Register before April 1. CIM NATIONAL MEMBERS Business class (access to the VIP lounge) Regular member Presenter and session chair Student, unemployed, retired Life member
Before April 1
On/After April 1
$840 $715 $650 $80 $270
$960 $840 $770 $105 $270
$1,040 $915 $800 $80 $180
$1,160 $1,040 $920 $105 $205
PLATINUM | PLATINE
SPONSORS | COMMANDITAIRES
REGISTRATION | INSCRIPTION
DIAMOND | DIAMANT
NON-CIM MEMBERS (Fee includes one-year membership to CIM) Business class (access to the VIP lounge)
Regular non-member Presenter and session chair Student Unemployed, retired EXHIBITION ONLY Visitor to the CIM Exhibition only VIP visitor to the CIM Exhibition only Exhibitor staff
$40 Free Free
One-day pass, guest registration and more information available online.
GOLD | OR
SILVER | ARGENT
®
COPPER | CUIVRE
HOTELS & TRAVEL | HÉBERGEMENT ET VOLS Reserve your hotel room(s) directly with the hotel of your choice and reference the Group Code to obtain the convention rate. Space is limited. Taxes apply. INTERCONTINENTAL TORONTO CENTRE Toll-Free Reservations: 1-800-235-4670; Group Code: CIM 2013 Standard Room: $229; www.torontocentre.intercontinental.com THE FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK Toll-Free Reservations: 1-866-540-4489; Group Code: cana0513_004 Standard Room: $199; www.fairmont.com/royal-york-toronto HYATT REGENCY TORONTO Phone Reservations: 1-416-343-1234; Group Code: CIM2013 Standard Room: $199; www.torontoregency.hyatt.com RENAISSANCE TORONTO DOWNTOWN HOTEL Toll-Free Reservations: 1-800-237-1512; Group Code: cimcimc Standard Room: $175; www.renaissancetorontodowntown.com
FRIENDS | AMIS
MAIN MEDIA | MÉDIA PRINCIPAL
AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION
Air Canada and Porter are the official airlines for the 2013 CIM Convention in Toronto. For online reservations, enter the convention code as follows: www.aircanada.com: XNPZKTX1 or www.flyporter.com: CIM013. *(to date | à ce jour)
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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WORKSHOPS | ATELIERS NI 43-101 AND OTHER MINING DISCLOSURE STANDARDS The two-day course will examine changes made to the NI 43-101 rules and the Technical Report Form 43-101F1, as well as recent changes to CIM Definitions of Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves, and Feasibility Studies. The course will include: • Meaning of material facts and material change when applied to scientific and technical information on mineral properties • Assessing when a technical report is no longer current, and how to write technical reports so that they remain current for longer • New guidance on disclosure of Preliminary Economic Assessments Mining technical disclosure requirements under NI 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations will also be reviewed, with particular emphasis on requirements and carve-outs for disclosure of forward-looking information associated with mining studies. FACILITATORS: GREG GOSSON, DIRECTOR FOR GEOLOGY COMPLIANCE, AMEC / STELLA SEARSTON, PRINCIPAL GEOLOGIST, AMEC | TIME: SATURDAY, MAY 4 AND SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 8:30 TO 17:00
GAINING AND MEASURING YOUR SOCIAL LICENSE TO OPERATE (SLO) This two-day workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to the practical realities of gaining, maintaining, and measuring the social license to operate through a combination of presentations, case histories and handson working simulations. FACILITATORS: IAN THOMSON, PRINCIPAL AND CO-FOUNDER OF ON COMMON GROUND CONSULTANTS INC. / SUSAN JOYCE, PRINCIPAL AND CO-FOUNDER OF ON COMMON GROUND CONSULTANTS INC. | TIME: SATURDAY, MAY 4 AND SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 9:00 TO 16:00
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES The workshop, hosted by Learning Together Inc., an Aboriginal grassroots mining association, will use the case study model that has become the organization’s trademark, to showcase three examples from across Canada.
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Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
MAY 5 TO 8, 2013 . 5 AU 8 MAI 2013
Presenters from both the industry and Aboriginal communities will reveal how, by working together, they created new opportunities that benefit both parties. FACILITATOR: LANA EAGLE, VICE PRESIDENT, LEARNING TOGETHER INC. | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 8:30 TO 16:30
RISK-BASED INSPECTION OVERVIEW AND HANDS-ON WORKSHOP This workshop will provide an overview of risk-based inspection (RBI), including: • RBI history • Different RBI methodologies • Dynamic RBI theory • Why use RBI • When to use RBI • How to evergreen RBI After the overview, the group will divide into small groups to develop an inspection plan for a sample pressure vessel in order to experience what goes into generating a risk-based inspection plan – from initial data gathering to review, corrosion modelling, consequences of failure analysis and risk generation to inspection planning. Attendees will receive an RBI Inspection Planning worksheet that facilitates calculations and allows for future manual RBI calculation. FACILITATOR: WILLIAM MINTER, CLIENT SOLUTIONS ENGINEER, PINNACLE ASSET INTEGRITY SERVICES | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 9:00 TO 17:00
MINING 101 – AN INTRODUCTION TO MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING An introduction to mining and mineral processing using basic concepts and lots of examples: • The activities of a mining company • Geological concepts • Mineral resources estimation and reporting • Open-pit and underground mining • Mineral processing FACILITATOR: GEORGE MCISAAC, PRESIDENT, G-MEC, GEOLOGY & MINING EVALUATION CONSULTING | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 8:30 TO 12:30
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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CIM – THE COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE MINING (TSM) Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) was developed by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) to improve the industry’s performance by aligning its actions with the priorities and values of Canadians. This workshop will provide an overview of: • The TSM initiative • The TSM assessment protocols • The TSM external verification system FACILITATOR: BEN CHALMERS, VICE-PRESIDENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, MINING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 8:30 TO 12:00
ENERGY USE AND GHG EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT The TSM initiative is a way for the industry to find common ground with its communities of interest – the groups and individuals involved in and affected by mining – in order to build a better industry, today and in the future. The TSM initiative is built around a series of performance indicators in the areas of tailings management, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management, Aboriginal and community outreach, tailings management, biodiversity conservation management, and safety and health. These indicators, by measuring the quality and comprehensiveness of companies’ management systems, give the public an overview of the industry’s performance.
HDPE PIPE FUSION SEMINAR This is a hands-on learning session about High Density Polyethylene pipe. Participants assemble an HDPE spool piece using butt fusion, electrofusion, and mechanical fittings. At each station, an instructor guides them through the process. During the lunch break there will be a presentation on HDPE pipe and its various applications. After a lunch break, we will then test the spool pieces to destruction. FACILITATORS: BRAD REDPATH, REGIONAL MANAGER, ONTARIO, WOLSELEY ENGINEERED PIPE / JEAN-FRANÇOIS RIOUX, GENERAL MANAGER, QUEBEC AND ATLANTIC PROVINCES, WOLSELEY ENGINEERED PIPE | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 8:30 TO 16:30
OPTIMIZING MAIN MINE FAN INSTALLATIONS FOR ENERGY SAVINGS This workshop presents techniques that could be used to improve main fan system assemblage efficiencies with minimum capital investment. With every kW offset, a mine not only reduces overall costs but lowers its overall base electrical and energy loads, helping to reduce the strain on the site’s energy infrastructure. FACILITATOR: EULER DE SOUZA, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ROBERT M. BUCHAN DEPARTMENT OF MINING, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 13:30 TO 17:00
This workshop will provide an overview of: • The Towards Sustainable Mining initiative • The Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management Protocol • The Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Guidance Document • The TSM external verification system FACILITATOR: BEN CHALMERS, VICE-PRESIDENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, MINING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 13:30 TO 17:00
TAILINGS MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE MINING The main focus of this workshop will be on MAC’s three-volume set of guides, developed to improve tailings management: • A Guide to the Management of Tailings Facilities, initially published in 1998, updated edition published in 2009 • Developing an Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance Manual for Tailings and Water Management Facilities, published in 2003 • A Guide to Audit and Assessment of Tailings Facility Management, published in 2009 FACILITATOR: RICK MEYERS, VICE-PRESIDENT TECHNICAL AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS, MINING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 13:30 TO 17:00
COMPRESSED AIR SEMINAR Kaeser’s one-day seminar will help participants evaluate and improve the performance of compressed air systems. It is designed for plant engineers, operations managers, maintenance supervisors, consulting engineers, and anyone who wants to increase reliability and reduce lifecycle costs. It provides the information necessary to increase system efficiency and make better purchasing decisions. FACILITATOR: SERGE LABRECQUE, NATIONAL SALES MANAGER, KAESER COMPRESSORS CANADA INC. | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 9:00 TO 17:00
www.cim.org/toronto2013
MINING SOCIAL MEDIA The conversation about global mining leadership and the courage to change in response to future challenges is already underway. Join us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to take part in an exchange about current issues and best practices with peers and mining industry leaders.
NEW! The conversation will be carried out LIVE during the CIM Convention, where a Tweet Wall, located in the registration area, will allow CIM to broadcast the convention highlights. Participants can share their experiences and photos with the entire mining community. Here is how you can take part in the conversation, starting today: “Like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CIMconventionTO2013 Use Facebook to communicate with the CIM Convention. Ask us questions, check out our photos and connect with the global mining community! “Follow” us on twitter: @AnnualCIM The CIM Convention hashtag is #AnnualCIM. Use this to connect to the global mining community. Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cimconvention Use Linkedin to join our growing global mining professional network and to take part in discussions on the latest hot topics.
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ICM – LA COMMUNAUTÉ POUR UNE EXPERTISE DE PREMIER PLAN
Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
ARE YOU LEADING IN MINING? A SIZE UP AND A SHAPE UP This workshop offers participants an opportunity to assess their current leadership skills and develop specific plans to become more effective. A mini 360-degree feedback assessment will be conducted on all participants prior to the workshop. This assessment will solicit confidential feedback from participants’ supervisors, peers and direct reports. Participants will be presented with their personalized report at the workshop. The distribution of these reports will be supplemented with lecturettes and discussions on the current best practices for leadership, and on knowledge of how leaders develop. The session will conclude with each participant creating a personal leadership development plan. This workshop follows the model developed through the Leading in Mining program in which participants from the same industry but different organizations engage in conversation and learn together, unencumbered by the politics of a single organization. FACILITATOR: ROSIE STEEVES, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT OF EXECUTIVE WORKS | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 9:00 TO 17:00
CHROMIUM MANAGEMENT FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY FACILITATORS The workshop will address the geochemistry of chromium, its occurrence in ores, soils and waters during mining operations, and its management during mining and processing of ores and other materials containing it. The course will also review a number of current and established chromium management projects for mining and other industry firms. FACILITATORS: JIM HIGGINS, SENIOR EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT, STANTEC / ANGUS MCGRATH, PRINCIPAL GEOCHEMIST, STANTEC / AL MATTES, SUB-CONSULTANT, STANTEC | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 9:00 TO 17:00
CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 3.0: BEYOND RISK, RETURN AND REPUTATION How many times have you heard that CSR can reduce risk, protect reputation, and drive returns? As a business case from 50,000 feet, this is quite compelling, but it is simply no longer enough to satisfy those stakeholders — local communities, non-governmental organizations, investors, regulators, and management — whose decisions can affect your ability to operate, profit and succeed. The true business case of CSR is that, when managed correctly, it enhances the ability of your internal and external stakeholders to make decisions. There are three items along the “CSR information continuum” that must be considered to provide your stakeholders with what they need to help enable and ensure the success of your enterprise. These include: • • • •
Identifying your risks and opportunities Quantifying your risks and opportunities Providing insight into how you are managing these risks and opportunities Are you prepared?
FACILITATOR: NELSON A. SWITZER, DIRECTOR & LEADER, SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, PWC | TIME: SUNDAY, MAY 5 / 9:00 TO 16:30
* Workshop fees available online
www.cim.org/toronto2013
STUDENT PROGRAM | PROGRAMME ÉTUDIANT The 2013 CIM Convention in Toronto will be the ultimate opportunity for you to network and meet with professionals and peers in your field, as well as with managers throughout the mining industry. When it comes to looking for that perfect job – or perhaps co-op opportunity or research support – a strong network can be key. The Student Program will ensure the event is both informative and educational. It will enable you to put your best foot forward and make a lasting impression. And it is one of the greatest opportunities to make friends with your peers from schools across the country. There is more for students at the 2013 CIM Convention. Student registration includes access to all of the same elements as regular registration: Complete Technical Program • CIM Plenary • Free online access to the papers and presentations after the conference • CIM Exhibition • CIM Job Fair • CIM Opening Reception • Women in Mining Forum • Monday lunch on the exhibition floor • CIM Student-Industry luncheon on Tuesday • Joy Global Gala During the CIM Student-Industry Luncheon, enjoy a presentation of the ever-popular “Rick and Larry Show,” where speakers Rick Hutson, senior consultant, C.J. Stafford & Associates, and Larry Smith, senior manager, project evaluations and strategic analysis, Barrick Gold Corporation, will provide relevant information on networking, resumé writing, how to create effective business cards, and other useful career-building tips and hints. You do not want to miss it!
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TECHNICAL PROGRAM | PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BEST PRACTICES
LEADERSHIP IN INVESTMENT & MANAGEMENT
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
ROCK MECHANICS & GEOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS
NEW FRONTIERS/ OPEN INNOVATION
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM
Project Showcase: Deep Sea Exploration and Future Mining
Opening Remarks, Keynotes and SRR Scholarship
Steve Scott
Dale Boucher
Mobile Equipment Advances
Legal/ Commercialization
MONDAY, MAY 6 OPENING PLENARY – Mark Kelley, Moderator
AM
PM
The Operational Excellence Mindset
The Development Challenge: Leadership
Tim Skinner
Tom Rannelli
ESR Plenary: Where Will Future Regulations Take Mining and Are You Prepared
Rock Mechanics and Ground Support
Martin Grenon
Janice Zinck, David Forrester TUESDAY, MAY 7
Lessons Learned: Maintenance & Engineering AM
PM
Dick McIvor, Ben Kubica
Project Showcase: Preparing Your Project For Financing
Richard Jundis
Underground Mining Challenges in Saskatchewan
Lessons Learned: The Shifting Sands of Shareholder Value
Robert Carey
Mauro Chiesa
Project Showcase: Maintenance and Operational Advancements in Mining
Women in Mining
Catharine Shaw, Melanie Sturk
Sustainable Mining in Remote & Extreme Environments
Paste Backfill, Leading Practice and Pipeline Delivery
Chris Twigge-Molecey
Rob Brown, Eric Maag
Peter Frasunkiewicz
Eva-Jane Lark
Project Showcase: Ring of Fire
Mining Material Movements – Shaft and Declines
Processing/ Recovery Technologies
Business Case for Space ISRU
James Gardner
Robert Onucki
Leadership in Orebody Modelling
Exploration Innovation
Jason Dunning
TBA
Leanne Hall
Lessons Learned: Moving Towards Best Practices
Stephen Morison
Iain Christie
Mission Concepts
Gerald Sanders
Marcel Djivre WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 Underground Mining – Innovations that are Changing the Way We Mine
MANAGEMENT & FINANCE DAY Can You Risk a Risky Project?
Mike Wilson
Jane Spooner
Innovation in Mining Automation
Read the Fine Print (Get Yourself a Lawyer)
Trang Tran
Steve Suarez
Water: Perception or Reality
Ian Middleton, Mireille Goulet
Mega Deposits
Garth Kirkham
The Next Best Energy Solutions for the Mining Sector
Resource Prospecting
Mel Harju, André Lemay
Leslie Gertsch
Innovations in Risk Management
Mining/ Drilling/ Excavation
TBA
Christian Anderson
AM Young Leaders: Mining Projects and Human/ Indigenous Rights
David Clarry, Olivia Gamache
Open Pit: Geomechanical Constraints and Haul Time
Doug Milne
Keeping Track of Cost Estimates
Resource Processing
Larry Smith
Sherry Schmidt
PM Management & Finance Day – Panel
Moderator: David Jennings
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Resource Processing
Sherry Schmidt
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PRATIQUES D’EXCELLENCE EN EXPLOITATION ET ENTRETIEN
LEADERSHIP EN INVESTISSEMENT ET GESTION
RESPONSABILITÉS SOCIALES ET ENVIRONNEMENTALES
LA MÉCANIQUE DES ROCHES ET LES AVANCEÉS GÉOLOGIQUES
NOUVELLES FRONTIÈRES ET INNOVATION OUVERTE
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM
Présentation de projet : Exploration des fonds sous-marins et exploitation minière future
Discours d’ouverture, articles principaux et bourse d’études SRR
LUNDI 6 MAI SÉANCE PLÉNIÈRE D’OUVERTURE – Mark Kelley, animateur
AM
PM
La mentalité derrière l’excellence opérationnelle
Le défi du développement : le leadership
Tim Skinner
Tom Rannelli
Séance plénière sur la responsabilité environnementale et sociale : L’avenir de l’exploitation minière sous la règlementation future et y êtes-vous préparé?
La mécanique des roches et soutènement du sol
Martin Grenon
Dale Boucher
Steve Scott
Janice Zinck, David Forrester MARDI 7 MAI Leçons retenues : Entretien et ingénierie
Dick McIvor, Ben Kubica
Présentation de projet : Préparer un projet pour obtenir du financement
Richard Jundis
AM
PM
Défis de l’extraction souterraine en Saskatchewan
Leçons retenues : Le terrain mouvant de la valeur actionnariale
Robert Carey
Mauro Chiesa
Présentation de projet : Entretien et avancées opérationnelles dans le domaine de l’exploitation minière
Marcel Djivre
Femmes en exploitation minière
Catharine Shaw, Melanie Sturk
Exploitation minière durable en régions éloignées et en conditions extrêmes
Système de remblayage avec pâtes, pratiques principales et pipeline d’arrivée
Avancées dans le domaine de l’équipement mobile
Questions de droit et commercialisation
Rob Brown, Eric Maag
Peter Frasunkiewicz
Les mouvements du matériel minier – puits de mine et descenderies
Technologies de traitement et de récupération
Analyse de rentabilité pour l’utilisation des ressources en place dans l’espace
James Gardner
Robert Onucki
Iain Christie
Leçons retenues : Adopter des pratiques d’excellence
Leadership dans la modélisation des gisements de minerai
Innovation dans l’exploration
Concepts de mission
Stephen Morison
Jason Dunning
Chris Twigge-Molecey Présentation de projet : Cercle de feu
Leanne Hall
À confimer
Eva-Jane Lark
Gerald Sanders
MERCREDI 8 MAI Extraction souterraine – Innovations qui changent nos façons de faire
Mike Wilson
JOURNÉE FINANCE ET GESTION MINIÈRE Projet risqué : Pouvez-vous prendre le risque?
Jane Spooner
Eau : Perception ou réalité
Ian Middleton, Mireille Goulet
Les mégagisements
Garth Kirkham
Les autres bonnes solutions énergétiques pour l’industrie minière
Prospection des ressources
Mel Harju, André Lemay
Leslie Gertsch
Innovations en gestion des risques
Extraction, sondage et excavation
À confimer
Christian Anderson
AM Innovation dans l’automatisation de l’exploitation minière
Lisez les petits caractères (engagez un avocat)
Trang Tran
Steve Suarez
Jeunes leaders : Projets d’exploitation minière et droits de l’homme et des Premières nations
David Clarry, Olivia Gamache
Exploitation à ciel ouvert : les contraintes géomécaniques et le temps de roulage
Doug Milne
Assurer le suivi des devis estimatifs
Traitement des ressources
Larry Smith
Sherry Schmidt
PM Journée finance et gestion minière
Animateur : David Jennings
Traitement des ressources
Sherry Schmidt
Les présentations seront offertes en anglais
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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MAY 5 TO 8, 2013 . 5 AU 8 MAI 2013
TECHNICAL PROGRAM PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE Exemplifying Global Leadership
Illustrer le leadership mondial
Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
PLENARY | PLÉNIÈRE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP: The Courage to Change LEADERSHIP MONDIAL: Oser le changement MONDAY, MAY 6 | 9:00 to 11:30
After captivating the audience at the 2012 CIM Convention, Mark Kelley will once again moderate the session. Kelley, the newest member of the fifth estate team, has a career that spans more than two decades at CBC News, including his award-winning work as an investigative journalist and co-host of CBC News: Disclosure. Former correspondent for The National, host of Connect with Mark Kelley, as well as CBC News: Morning, Kelley will lead the conversation of these confirmed panellists:
Egizio Bianchini Vice-chair, global co-head, metals & mining, BMO Capital Markets
Chris Lewicki President and chief engineer, Planetary Resources
These panellists, and two more to be announced in the coming weeks, are among the leading thinkers and practitioners in their respective fields. They are brought together not only to offer insights about their particular areas of expertise, but also to promote the development of
Richard A. Ross Executive in residence & program director – MBA Global Mining Management, Schulich School of Business
Zoë Yujnovich President and CEO, Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)
cross-functional synergies. By assembling such a solid and diversified line-up, we seek to open our minds to discover new ways of collaborating and to foster the insight and courage that change requires.
MONDAY, MAY 6 | 14:00
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BEST PRACTICES THE OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE MINDSET
Open standards in the cab-surface mining case studies Peter Cunningham, Teck Resources Limited
CHAIR: TIM SKINNER, PRESIDENT, SMART SYSTEMS GROUP
LEADERSHIP IN INVESTMENT & MANAGEMENT
Leveraging lessons learned in standards from other industries
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: LEADERSHIP
Mel Torrie, Autonomous Solutions Inc.
CHAIR: TOM RANNELLI, SENIOR MINING ENGINEER, LOAN PRODUCTS GROUP, BMO CAPITAL MARKETS
The role of global mining standards and new standards development efforts Reinhard Reinartz, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbH
Leadership in investment and management (Capital Project Development Efficiency) Jose Suarez, Accenture
The application of standards for mobile equipment data at Vale North Atlantic
Mining 2020 challenges
Samantha Espley, Vale North Atlantic
Jose Suarez, Accenture
Developing a standardized user interface for large shovels
Can we stop misrepresenting reality to the public?
Andrew Chapman, Barrick Gold Corporation
Franco Oboni, Oboni Riskope Associates Inc.
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CIM – THE COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE Prediction of concrete strength under freezing conditions Amir Golpaygan, Hatch Ltd.
Chatham rise phosphate, New Zealand Robin Falconer, Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd.
Manganese nodules redux James Hein, U.S. Geological Survey
Crossing into the new frontier: exciting times to be an ocean engineer Thomas Dettweiller, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM MiHR
proudly sponsored by: OPENING REMARKS, KEYNOTES AND SPACE RESOURCES ROUNDTABLE (SRR) SCHOLARSHIP
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
CHAIR: DALE BOUCHER, DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION, NORCAT
ESR PLENARY: WHERE WILL FUTURE REGULATIONS TAKE MINING AND ARE YOU PREPARED?
This session will open with an announcement of the SRR student scholarship winners, followed by two keynote presentations by leading experts in space resources.
CHAIRS: JANICE ZINCK, MANAGER WASTE MANAGEMENT AND PROCESSING, CANMET MINING AND MINERAL SCIENCES LABORATORIES; AND DAVID FORRESTER, SENIOR MINING ENGINEER, ENVIRONMENT, AECOM
The Canadian mining industry faced a number of difficult environmental issues in the past, particularly in relation to acid rock drainage from tailings and waste rock, abandoned mines, air emissions and water quality. These challenges led federal, provincial and territorial governments to continue their quest for tighter environmental regulations and to launch initiatives for improved sector performance. In order for the Canadian mining industry to continue making significant improvements in environmental performance, industry leaders must open the door to technology and innovation to achieve their environmental obligations. This session will explore environmental regulatory trends and changes affecting the mining industry’s future and will present valuable insights on what to expect from three perspectives: base regulation, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial return. If you want a glimpse into the future of environmental regulations you will not want to miss this session.
ROCK MECHANICS & GEOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS ROCK MECHANICS AND GROUND SUPPORT CHAIR: MARTIN GRENON, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL
Keynote Jim Keravala, Shakleton Energy
Keynote Alan Stern, Moon Express
TUESDAY, MAY 7 | 8:30
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BEST PRACTICES LESSONS LEARNED: MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING CHAIRS: DICK MCIVOR, PRESIDENT, MCIVOR ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES INC.; AND BEN KUBICA, PRESIDENT, J.F. COMER INC.
Ore handling systems in shaft Bob Foster, Hatch Ltd.
Evolution and innovation in hoisting – a historical perspective Michael Robotham, Davy Markham Ltd.
High-performance synthetic ropes for mine hoisting Al Guse, Vale
Performance evaluation and analysis of a new pumpable resin injection system for rock bolting
Centralizing maintenance resources in mining operation
Wolfgang Dolsak, DYWIDAG-Systems International
Pedram Sahba, Hatch Ltd.
Performances of Atlas Copco Swellex Mn line bolts in simulated dynamic environment Mario Bureau, Atlas Copco
Link between parameters in rock mass classification Doug Milne, Karina Forster and Rimas Pakalnis, University of Saskatchewan
Altered mining extraction and the resulting rockmass response at INCO Creighton mine Denis Thibodeau, INCO
NEW FRONTIERS/OPEN INNOVATION PROJECT SHOWCASE: DEEP SEA EXPLORATION AND FUTURE MINING CHAIR: STEVE SCOTT, PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Present and future ores in the oceans Steve Scott, University of Toronto
www.cim.org/toronto2013
CIM JOB FAIR | SALON DE L’EMPLOI With a growing need for skilled workers, the mining industry is looking to hire. Whether you want to embark on a new career or grow your existing skills, the CIM Job Fair is a must-attend event. MAY 6 and 7 | Exhibition floor Areva Resources Canada Inc. • Brunel • C.J. Stafford • Cameco Corporation • Canadian Natural Resources Limited • Cliffs Natural Resources - Mines Wabush • Detour Gold • Imperial Oil Limited Kearl Oil Sands • KGHM International Ltd. • Levert Personel Resources • Sherritt International Corporation • Suncor Energy Inc. • Syncrude Canada Ltd. • Teck Resources Ltd. • The Mosaic Company • Vale • Xstrata Zinc
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Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
MAY 5 TO 8, 2013 . 5 AU 8 MAI 2013
LEADERSHIP IN INVESTMENT & MANAGEMENT PROJECT SHOWCASE: PREPARING YOUR PROJECT FOR FINANCING CHAIR: RICHARD JUNDIS, SENIOR ENGINEER, BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION
How companies can be better prepared for mine financing Julia Martin, AMC Mining Consultants (Canada) Ltd.
Things that will be exposed in due diligence Chris McBean, Hatch Ltd.
TBA Stephen Mullowney, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Is a bankable feasibility study bankable, and other terms TBA, Hatch Ltd.
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SUSTAINABLE MINING IN REMOTE & EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS CHAIR: CHRIS TWIGGE-MOLECEY, SENIOR ADVISOR, HATCH LTD.
Underground mine development work in the High Arctic – operating and social considerations from a contractor’s perspective Charlie Toeppner, Cementation Canada Inc.
MINING FOR SOCIETY | MINES ET SOCIÉTÉ The educational public show on mining, minerals, metals and materials | Le salon éducatif sur les mines, minéraux, métaux et matériaux MAY 2 to 4 (PRE-CONVENTION) | Direct Energy Centre, Queen Elizabeth Building CIM’s highly acclaimed M4S show is the ideal event for teachers, students and the general public to learn about the mining cycle and its impact on our daily lives. The abundance of career opportunities in mining is also highlighted. Every edition of M4S serves to further dispel myths and help to secure a robust future for the industry. Interactive activities and games allow visitors to experience the mining cycle at every stage – each one represented at a dedicated pavilion: Exploration, Mining, Processing, Sustainability, Products & Fabrication, Education & Careers, and Health & Safety.
Mining in remote and extreme environments: Red Dog mine and Quebrada Blanca mine. Is it that different to mine in the Arctic than on top of the Chilean Andes? Alvaro Diaz and Henri Letient, Red Dog Operations
Building from the ground up in the Sahara: the complexities of project execution in a developing country Olivia Gamache, Hatch Ltd.
Mining innovation to enable safe extraction of remote resources Alex Henderson, Vale
ROCK MECHANICS & GEOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS PASTE BACKFILL, LEADING PRACTICE AND PIPELINE DELIVERY CHAIRS: ROB BROWN, PRINCIPAL, PATERSON & COOKE CANADA INC.; AND ERIC MAAG, DIRECTOR – MARKET DEVELOPMENT, DGI GEOSCIENCE INC.
Scale prevention in the presence of high solid slurries Laura Sanders, Kemira
Slurry pipelines – a historical perspective Jenny Grimes, Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc.
Optimization of cemented rock fill practices for open mining systems Muhammad Zaka Emad, McGill University
NEW FRONTIERS/OPEN INNOVATION MOBILE EQUIPMENT ADVANCES
The 2012 show attracted over 5,000 visitors, almost 85 per cent of whom were students between the ages of 10 and 16. Positive feedback from both attendees and exhibitors allows CIM to create an ever-increasingly exciting experience. Exhibiting at M4S is FREE. Together with industry partners, CIM truly demonstrates the positive impact of our sector on everyday life. TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3, 9:00 to 16:00 GENERAL PUBLIC
Saturday, May 4, 10:00 to 16:00
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CHAIR: PETER FRASUNKIEWICZ, GENERAL MANAGER, MINING DIVISION, TOROMONT CAT
Fault detection of parallel duty rotating machinery subject to variable duty cycles Mohamed El Maghraby, Laurentian University
The resonant drill: powerful heli-portable sonic drilling in Alaska Matthew James, Resonance Technology International Inc.
Cat® detect proximity awareness – new safety equipment for mining Lester A. Phillips, CAT Global Mining
Leveraging advanced machine data systems to drive continuous improvement in mining operations Andrew Moebus, Toromont CAT
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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ICM – LA COMMUNAUTÉ POUR UNE EXPERTISE DE PREMIER PLAN
Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM LEGAL / COMMERCIALIZATION CHAIR: EVA-JANE LARK, VICE-PRESIDENT AND INVESTMENT ADVISOR, BMO NESBITT BURNS
This session will address various topics, such as property rights, tax incentives, funding processes, commercial missions in space and regulatory control of commercial activities.
TUESDAY, MAY 7 | 10:30
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BEST PRACTICES UNDERGROUND MINING CHALLENGES IN SASKATCHEWAN CHAIR: ROBERT CAREY, PRESIDENT, RJC INDUSTRIAL DESIGN LTD.
DMC-mechanical shaft sinking William Shaver and Yvon E. Giroux, DMC Mining Services Kayne Ulmer, Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada Ltd.
The Wynyard Carnallite project, Saskatchewan, Canada: the largest carnallite project in the world – an innovative design approach to minimize environmental impact Siu Ma, Karnalyte Resources Inc.
Design and construction of the world’s tallest structural steel headframe for ground-mounted mine hoists Dave Calder, Stantec Consulting Ltd.
LEADERSHIP IN INVESTMENT & MANAGEMENT LESSONS LEARNED: THE SHIFTING SANDS OF SHAREHOLDER VALUE CHAIR: MAURO CHIESA, INDEPENDENT ADVISOR
Mauro Chiesa, an independent industry consultant, will chair a panel that will examine the shifting aspects of shareholder value – both past and present. The project and company risk matrix is changing, placing more risk on the mining company, while shareholders look for lower risk investment. Presenters will discuss the trends and some recent transactions from project development (de-risking), financing and legal viewpoints.
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT SHOWCASE: RING OF FIRE CHAIR: LEANNE HALL, VICE-PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, NORONT RESOURCES
Situated deep in northern Ontario, the Ring of Fire contains rich mineral deposits and offers tremendous opportunities to demonstrate the best industry initiatives – from social responsibility to environmental protection. This session will showcase a number of key projects and initiatives in the Ring of Fire.
ROCK MECHANICS & GEOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS MINING MATERIAL MOVEMENTS – SHAFT AND DECLINES CHAIR: JAMES GARDNER, MINING CONSULTANT, AMC MINING CONSULTANTS
Mine conveyance safety fall arrest system Andre du Preez, Horne Group Inc.
New opportunities for mine planners – large-diameter borehole hoising systems
INTERACTIVE PLENARY
WOMEN IN MINING FORUM | PLÉNIÈRE INTERACTIVE
FEMMES EN EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE TUESDAY, MAY 7 | 14:00 to 17:00 (interactive plenary); 17:00 to 19:00 (reception) NEW – Due to its recurring popularity and high pertinence, this session has been integrated into the CIM Technical Program. There is a strong social case for promoting the involvement of women in mining, and an even stronger business case to build a gender-balanced workforce. Research indicates that the pipeline of experienced and skilled female talent is dwindling before advancing to management, leadership and board positions. Through case studies and an open panel discussion, this session will share best practices to grow the ranks of women in senior positions.
Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
Cigar Lake tubing installation
Dennis Martin, Horne
Discrete event simulation modelling versus tonne-kilometre (TKM) analysis with a hybrid material movement practice consisting of truck haulage and skipping Kristopher Shelswell, Labrecque Technologies Inc.
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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NEW FRONTIERS/OPEN INNOVATION PROCESSING/RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES CHAIR: ROBERT ONUCKI, SENIOR GLOBAL ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, MINING, SANDVIK TAMROCK CANADA INC.
VibroconTM, breakthrough crushing technology for sustainable development in the mining industry Robert Onucki, Sandvik Tamrock Canada Inc.
Closed side setting – gyratory crusher Tom Shumka, Global Inspections-NDT, Inc.
Success stories in process and asset optimization in the mining industry Francis Rousseau, GE Canada
BUSINESS CASE FOR SPACE IN-SITU RESOURCE UTILIZATION (ISRU) CHAIR: IAIN CHRISTIE, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NEPTEC DESIGN GROUP
Helium 3 mining start-up transportation Thomas Taylor, Lunar Transportation Systems, Inc.
Asteroid mining methods and opportunities for serving in space and terrestrial markets David Grump, Deep Space Industries
Mining of PMGs in commercial space project management Christine Hansen, Hawaii Pacific University
Mining asteroid materials for manufacturing in low Earth orbit (LEO) and for valuable materials
MiHR
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY LESSONS LEARNED: MOVING TOWARDS BEST PRACTICES CHAIR: STEPHEN MORISON, DIRECTOR, MINING BUSINESS SECTOR, SLR CONSULTING (CANADA) LTD.
The minerals industry faces engineering, environmental, socio-economic, cultural and historical issues on a global scale. These issues have been recognized by government agencies and communities, and have resulted in new legislation, regulations and policies designed to better assure that companies use leading practices at all stages. The minerals industry has both recognized historical issues and dramatically improved its practices in response to societal concerns with past performance.
CHAIR: MARCEL DJIVRE, SENIOR ENGINEER, MECHANICAL, MINING INDUSTRY; AND MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF CIM
This session will feature a panel discussion on improved practices. The following aspects will be discussed: • An overview of historical issues to set the context for mineral development projects • An overview of lessons learned and methods developed to deal with historical issues • The importance of education and application of leading practices at all stages of the mine life cycle • How practices are evolving and what operators can start applying now
Processing from reactive to proactive: a case study on risk-based mechanical integrity program implementation
ROCK MECHANICS & GEOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS
Nathanael Ince, Pinnacle-AIS
LEADERSHIP IN OREBODY MODELLING
Michael Buet, Stott Space Inc.
TUESDAY, MAY 7 | 14:00
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BEST PRACTICES PROJECT SHOWCASE: MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL ADVANCEMENTS IN MINING
In-situ condition monitoring of a rail-based system Jeffrey Pagnutti, independent consultant
Mill girth gear inspection Tom Shumka, Global Inspections-NDT, Inc.
CHAIR: JASON DUNNING, VICE-PRESIDENT EXPLORATION, SELWYN RESOURCES LTD.
Effective modelling and estimation of stratified deposits Garth Kirkham, Kirkham Geosystems Ltd.
Mine sight implicit modelling Richard D. Moffett, Mintec, Inc.
LEADERSHIP IN INVESTMENT & MANAGEMENT WOMEN IN MINING CHAIRS: CATHARINE SHAW, MINING CLIENT PROGRAM MANAGER, GOLDER ASSOCIATES, LTD.; AND MELANIE STURK, DIRECTOR, ATTRACTION, RETENTION & TRANSITION, MIHR COUNCIL
There is a strong social case for involving women in mining, and an even stronger business case for building a gender-balanced workforce. Research indicates that the pipeline of experienced and skilled female talent is dwindling before advancing to management, leadership and board positions. Through case studies and an open panel discussion, this session will share best practices to grow the ranks of women in senior positions.
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NEW FRONTIERS/OPEN INNOVATION EXPLORATION INNOVATION CHAIR: TBA
This session examines recent advances in exploration, including new tools and technologies in field data collection, processing and management. Mobile X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers, automated core loggers and deep drilling technologies are changing the way data is collected and analyzed. Advanced geophysical techniques and three-dimensional (3D) modelling of data sets allow for better target definition and more costeffective exploration.
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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World-class mining services? Naturally.
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ABB Inc. 10300 Henri-Bourassa West Saint-Laurent, QC, H4S 1N6, Canada Phone: +1 514 832 6500 E-mail: mining@ca.abb.com
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MAY 5 TO 8, 2013 . 5 AU 8 MAI 2013
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM MISSION CONCEPTS CHAIR: GERALD SANDERS, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NASA JSC
Lunar habitat: minimum functionality to outpost capability Dallas G. Bienhoff, Advanced Space Exploration, Boeing
Logistics for long-duration space missions: when to reject, reuse or recycle Diane L. Linne, NASA Glenn Research Center
Metallurgy, manufacturing and fabrication on the International Space Station Marcus Dejmek, Canadian Space Agency
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 | 8:30
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BEST PRACTICES UNDERGROUND MINING – INNOVATIONS THAT ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE MINE CHAIR: MIKE WILSON, SENIOR CONSULTANT, STANTEC CONSULTING LTD.
Copper Cliff mine 114 ore body project (CCM 114 OB project) – use of rail-veyor technology in an underground mining application Dan McIntyre, Vale
New opportunities for mine planners – large diameter borehole hoisting systems Dennis Martin, Cementation Canada
Underground centrifugation technology in a hostile environment Todd Smith, Newalta
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY WATER: PERCEPTION OR REALITY CHAIRS: IAN MIDDLETON, ENGINEER, TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT, NEWALTA; AND MIREILLE GOULET, CSR PROJECT LEADER, CIM
Defining gobal mine water challenges: identification, quantification and responses Michael Sudbury, Michael P. Sudbury Consulting Services Inc.
Ecological solutions for clean mine water effluents and lower operating costs: a reality not a perception Margarete Kalin, Boojum Research Ltd.
TBA Bryn Harris, Neomet Technologies Inc.
Mining and agriculture: a cross-sector call for collaboration in the management of water Monica Ospina, O trade and market access
ROCK MECHANICS AND GEOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS MEGA DEPOSITS CHAIR: GARTH KIRKHAM, PRESIDENT AND PRINCIPAL, KIRKHAM GEOSYSTEMS LTD.
New multi-parameter geophysical approach for mine site (brownfield) and greenfield exploration targeting Genc Kallfa, Matrix GeoTechnologies Ltd.
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ICM – LA COMMUNAUTÉ POUR UNE EXPERTISE DE PREMIER PLAN
NEW FRONTIERS/OPEN INNOVATION
World Lunabotics Mining competition – using analogue test sites on the big island of Hawaii for the World-Finals of Lunar Excavation competitions
THE NEXT BEST ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR THE MINING SECTOR
Rob Kelso, PISCES
CHAIRS: MEL HARJU, ENERGY ADVISOR, MAXEMISER ENERGY SERVICES; AND ANDRÉ LEMAY, ENERGY CONSULTANT/ADVISOR, ANDRÉ LEMAY & ASSOCIATES
Substrate identification for planetary drills
Hydraulic air compressors – a forgotten solution for mineral processing?
Markus Timusk, Laurentian University
Dean Millar, MIRARCO
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 | 10:30
Hybrid power at remote mining sites Michel Carreau, Hatch Ltd.
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM RESOURCE PROSPECTING CHAIR: LESLIE GERTSCH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING, AND ADJUNCT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, MINING ENGINEERING, MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Electrostatic placer deposits of gold: a potentially lucrative lunar resource Warren Platts, Groundhog GeoScience
2013 NASA Lunabotics Mining competition: results & future possibilities Robert P. Mueller, NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE BEST PRACTICES INNOVATION IN MINING AUTOMATION CHAIR: TRANG TRAN, MANAGER, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, BESTECH
Guidelines for implementing three-dimensional (3D) modelling in a multidisciplinary mining organization Terry J. Vance, Caterpillar global mining division
The benefits of HydraCrowd on the electric rope shovel Dolf Strydom, Caterpillar Inc.
802.11 wireless site survey methodologies in an underground mine environment Mark Lafontaine, BESTECH
NETWORKING BY DESIGN BREAKFASTS Business networking is a socio-economic activity that enables likeminded businesspeople to recognize, create or act upon business opportunities. Being connected to peers who can make a difference in your business heightens a professional’s visibility within his or her circle. Industry functions, networking groups, conventions and other gatherings give business people the tools they need to build new professional relationships and generate business opportunities. Networking has taken on a brand new meaning.
MODERN MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS MONDAY, MAY 6 | 7:30 to 8:30 | Price: $20 Speakers: Tom Rannelli, senior mining engineer, BMO Capital Markets; Thomas Rannelli, area engineer, Cementation Canada Inc. The longstanding image of the wise, older sage imparting wisdom and knowledge to the younger, less experienced protégé no longer epitomizes the typical mentoring relationship. “Modern” mentoring relationships are far more varied and wider in scope. They involve high levels of cross-learning and are characterized by a mutually beneficial professional development relationship. Today’s mentoring relationships adjust to fulfill the needs of professionals of all ages. They enable young leaders with experience in the newest technology to be mentors to senior workers, who may not be taking full advantage. Likewise, they ensure that experienced peers impart leadership skills, competencies and behaviours to their younger counterparts so that the latter can continue to build a solid, stable organization with promising growth prospects. Mentors and mentees have different roles from their past counterparts and varied approaches to networking. They must be able to teach, coach and impart knowledge to each other and be open to the two-way exchange of ideas and visions. Join us and hear from two dynamic duos whose mentoring relationships provide great value to their careers.
www.cim.org/toronto2013
MINING SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS TUESDAY, MAY 7 | 7:30 to 8:30 | Price: $20 Presenter: Rachel Stephan, president, les sens créatifs event marketing Increasingly, professionals are joining business social networks to grow their networks, position their brand and promote their value online. Learning which channel to join and how to tap into its potential can be crucial to growing your business, reaching new markets and getting instant feedback from customers and stakeholders. Professionals are expanding their network globally and participating in conversations that reach millions of people through LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. And these are only a few of the networks that make it easy to share, learn and connect with your target clientele in real time. Join us for breakfast to learn the tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your social engagement. Experience the power of virtual networking by joining the conversation with professionals at the CIM Convention!
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LEADING L EAD EA A NG ED ADIN EDGE DGE EXT DGE EX EXTRACTION XTRA XTR RAC ACT C ON P CTIO PROCESSES: ROCES ROC O ES SSES: SS ES S G GOLD, OLD LD, S SILVER, ILV LVER R, PGM P PGMs, GMs, COP C COPPER, OPPER R, N NICKEL, IC CKEL L, CO C COBALT, OBA BAL ALT LT T,, MAG M MAGNESIUM, AGN AGNESIU ES S UM, A LU UMIN NUM, T IT ITA TANIU TA AN UM, Z INC C, CAD C ADM A MIU UM, HEM MAT MA ATIT TE, IN NDIU UM, GA G ALLIU UM, SCA S CAND CAN DIU UM & M OLY LY YBD BDENU UM ALUMINUM, TITANIUM, ZINC, CADMIUM, HEMATITE, INDIUM, GALLIUM, SCANDIUM MOLYBDENUM
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CIM – THE COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY YOUNG LEADERS: MINING PROJECTS AND HUMAN/INDIGENOUS RIGHTS CHAIRS: DAVID CLARRY, VICE-PRESIDENT, CSR, HUDBAY MINERALS; AND OLIVIA GAMACHE, SENIOR CONSULTANT, HATCH
Operationalizing the ruggie framework in a mining context Brenda Erskine, Inmet Mining Corporation
MAC’s ‘’Big Bold Initiative’’ on human rights MiHR
Ben Chalmers, Mining Association of Canada
Goldcorp human rights assessment experience Brent Bergeron, Goldcorp Inc.
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM
Panel discussion – mining and human rights Marketa Evans, Government of Canada
MINING/DRILLING/EXCAVATION
ROCK MECHANICS & GEOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS
CHAIR: CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN, OPERATIONS MANAGER, PISCES
OPEN PIT: GEOMECHANICAL CONSTRAINTS AND HAUL TIME
Artemis Jr., Rover
CHAIR: DOUG MILNE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, CIVIL AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
Peter Visscher, Ontario Drive and Gear
Extraterrestrial drilling
A field study on haul time variability in open pit mines Andrew Chapman, Barrick Gold Corporation
Kris Zacny, Honeybee Robotics
Financial and geomechanical optimization for mine pushbacks
Adaptation of mining methods for low and microgravity environments
Mike Grenon and C. Ngoma Bolusala, Université Laval
Leslie Gertsch, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Quantification of impact-induced damage of fractured rockmass
Regolith advanced surface systems operations robot (RASSOR) Robert P. Mueller, NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
John Hadigeorgiou, University of Toronto
Advances on blast-induced damage prediction and control in blasting operations
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 | 14:00
Leonardo Trivino, University of Toronto
NEW FRONTIERS/OPEN INNOVATION INNOVATIONS IN RISK MANAGEMENT
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM
CHAIR: TBA
RESOURCE PROCESSING
Operational readiness – operational readiness/cost reductions
CHAIR: SHERRY SCHMIDT, PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR, INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT, NORCAT
Anand Kundra, Accenture
ISRU-derived technologies for the terrestrial construction industry
Supply chain simulation modelling
Tai Sik Lee, Hanyang University
Jenny Grimes, Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc.
Purifying water mined from asteroids for in-situ resource utilization Laura Kelsey, Paragon Space Development Corporation
Natural feedstock for fabrication of spare parts = sustainability of planetary missions Bonnie L Cooper, Cooper Research
A non-terrestrial surface environments test-bed David Taylor, NASA Glenn Research Center
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 | 15:30
PLANETARY & TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM MiHR
RESOURCE PROCESSING CHAIR: SHERRY SCHMIDT, PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR, INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT, NORCAT
Roundtable discussion
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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ICM – LA COMMUNAUTÉ POUR UNE EXPERTISE DE PREMIER PLAN
MANAGEMENT & FINANCE DAY | JOURNÉE FINANCE ET GESTION MINIÈRE WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 | 8:30 to 17:00 Price: Included for convention delegates; lunch ticket, $75; one-day program including lunch, $365 The fifth annual Management & Finance Day, organized by the CIM Management and Economics Society (MES), will feature expert speakers sharing their experience and insights around key topics driving the industry, including project risk assessment, examination of important legal issues and estimation of capital costs. As in previous editions, a moderated panel discussion, with all speakers and session chairs, will allow the audience to share thoughts, questions and ideas derived from presentations.
GUEST PROGRAM | PROGRAMME DES INVITÉS SUNDAY, MAY 5
HIGH TEA AT WINDSOR ARMS HOTEL AND POSH SHOPPING IN BLOOR-YORKVILLE Since 1927, Tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel has been synonymous with elegant afternoon indulgence. The menu includes a selection of loose leaf tea, fresh scones and a presentation of sandwiches, berries and whipped cream, petits fours and more. After High Tea, cross over into the shopping world of Bloor-Yorkville – Toronto’s most celebrated neighbourhood of style and culture, offering a unique blend of designer boutiques, fashionable restaurants, plush hotels, and world-class galleries... 700 in all! DURATION: HIGH TEA FROM 12:30 TO 14:30 AND SHOPPING AS LATE AS YOU WISH/ COST: $75 (INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION TO WINDSOR ARMS HOTEL ONLY)
MONDAY, MAY 6 SESSION 1 CAN YOU RISK A RISKY PROJECT? CHAIR: JANE SPOONER, VICE-PRESIDENT, MICON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
8:30 The risk in risk management Dave Evans, senior associate, CSC Management Services
9:00
The uncertain modelling process Jason Mewis, president, ENGCOMP
9:30 Discount rates, risk and long-life projects Lawrence Smith, senior manager, project evaluation, Barrick Gold Corporation SESSION 2 READ THE FINE PRINT (GET YOURSELF A LAWYER!) CHAIR: STEVE SUAREZ, PARTNER, BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS
10:30 Rights of first refusal Freddie Pletcher, partner, Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP
11:00 Confidentiality issues Anthony Zoobkoff, senior counsel, Teck Resources Ltd.
THE BEST OF NIAGARA WINERIES AND THREE-COURSE LUNCH WITH WINE PAIRING Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment is a working countryside and a cornerstone of Ontario’s Greenbelt. The Niagara Escarpment wine tour experience includes tastings at three wineries, plus a wine pairing luncheon at a fourth estate. These wineries include: • 13th Street Winery, where you will enjoy spectacular views, the bakery and a fine art gallery • Vineland Estates Winery, for an exquisite three-course lunch experience that includes pairing with fine reserve wines • Tawse Winery is an award-winning winery with some unique structures that include a six-tier gravity-flow winery and barrel caves carved into the Niagara Escarpment DURATION: 9:00 TO 18:00/COST: $175 (INCLUDES ROUND TRIP TRANSPORTATION AND ALL TOUR AND TASTING FEES)
11:30 Unexpected legal obligations TBA
TUESDAY, MAY 7
12:00 Luncheon & Networking – CIM Convention closing lunch
LUNCH AND EARLY RENAISSANCE AT THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (AGO) (Guided Tour)
SESSION 3 KEEPING TRACK OF COST ESTIMATES
In 2008, AGO re-opened its doors to the public to reveal a stunning new design by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. With a permanent collection of more than 80,000 works of art, AGO is among the most distinguished art museums in North America and presents a wide spectrum of major exhibitions.
CHAIR: LARRY SMITH, SENIOR MANAGER, PROJECT EVALUATIONS AND STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION
14:00 Managing the capital squeeze – Linking cost, business plan and design Chris Gypton, project manager, Hecla Limited
14:30 Capital allocation – a strategic choice Luc Vandamme, senior director, capital allocation, Barrick Gold Corporation SESSION 4 PANEL DISCUSSION MODERATOR: DAVID JENNINGS, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, MINING PRACTICE, MARSH CANADA LIMITED
15:30 Panel and audience discussion 16:30 Wrap-Up and Management & Finance Day 2014 Jane Spooner, Micon International Limited
www.cim.org/toronto2013
The activity begins with lunch at FRANK, where executive chef Anne Yarymowich creates contemporary comfort cuisine with seasonal ingredients. Following lunch is a guided tour of the gallery. “Revealing the Renaissance: Stories and Secrets in Early Florentine Art” will explore how the city’s burgeoning economy of the time fostered a unique demand for artworks. The exhibition is comprised of more than 90 key pieces from the first half of the 14th century. DURATION: 12:00 TO 15:30/COST: $85 (INCLUDES ROUND TRIP TRANSPORTATION, A THREE-COURSE LUNCH, ONE GLASS OF WINE, AND THE GUIDED TOUR OF THE AGO)
*DEPARTURE POINT: CIM INFO COUNTER
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Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
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SOCIAL PROGRAM | PROGRAMME SOCIAL A MYRIAD OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN PLANNED TO MAXIMIZE YOUR NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. MAKE SURE TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS EARLY OR YOU WILL MISS OUT ON ALL THE EXCITEMENT! TUESDAY, MAY 7 STUDENT-INDUSTRY LUNCHEON
SUNDAY, MAY 5 CIM SURFACE MINING RECEPTION Gather at the CIM Surface Mining Society Welcome Reception for a drink, some food and handshakes. TIME: 14:00 TO 16:00 LOCATION: METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE COST: INCLUDED IN THE DELEGATE REGISTRATION
OPENING RECEPTION This grand networking event is sponsored by SMS Equipment & Komatsu. Year after year, participants gather at the opening reception of the CIM Convention for an evening of guest speakers and live entertainment. You will be treated to hors d’oeuvres and buffet stations on the exhibition floor. TIME: 17:00 TO 20:00 LOCATION: CIM EXHIBITION THE REGISTRATION FEE
COST: INCLUDED IN
The luncheon has proven to be the perfect opportunity for students to meet industry leaders and establish indispensable contacts. It is also the place to enjoy a comprehensive presentation on networking, resumé writing, how to create effective business cards, and other useful careerbuilding tips and hints. Speakers Rick Hutson and Larry Smith will provide relevant information. You do not want to miss it! TIME: 12:00 TO 14:00
COST: INCLUDED IN THE STUDENT REGISTRATION FEE
WOMEN IN MINING RECEPTION A cocktail reception will follow the Women in Mining Forum, providing a valuable networking opportunity for women in the industry. Meet the panellists and connect with peers from across Canada. TIME: 17:00 TO 19:00
COST: $25
VIP RECEPTION MONDAY, MAY 6 & TUESDAY, MAY 7 CIM NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Lunch and cocktail receptions in the CIM Exhibition: Monday and Tuesday, 12:00 to 14:00 and 15:30 to 17:00. Lunch and one drink ticket per day are included with each delegate registration.
MONDAY, MAY 6 CIM AWARDS GALA The CIM Awards Gala celebrates the true leaders of the Canadian mining industry – both past and present. Sponsored by Caterpillar and its Canadian dealers, this year’s entertainment will feature Canada’s first truly successful nightly talk show host, Mike Bullard. The evening concludes with a performance by The Jersey Kid, a former Canadian Idol finalist. A sumptuous dinner will be served. RECEPTION: 18:00 TO 19:00 DINNER: 19:00 TO 23:00 LOCATION: METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE, HALL F, SOUTH BUILDING COST: $175
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Senior industry leaders and invited guests will gather for a high-powered networking session. TIME: 17:00 TO 19:00
BY INVITATION ONLY
JOY GLOBAL GALA The Joy Global Gala (formally the P&H Reception and Dance) will provide an evening of nonstop entertainment for all conference participants. Do not miss the opportunity to sample delectable finger foods and tear up the dance floor with your colleagues! TIME: 20:00 TO 1:00 LOCATION: METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE, HALL F, SOUTH BUILDING COST: INCLUDED IN THE DELEGATE REGISTRATION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 MANAGEMENT & FINANCE DAY CLOSING LUNCHEON The final event of the CIM Convention. Join fellow participants for a satisfying lunch and a keynote presentation. Lunch is included in the fee for those who registered for the one-day Management & Finance Day. TIME: 12:00 TO 14:00
LOCATION: METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE
COST: $75
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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EXHIBITORS | EXPOSANTS
Normand Huberdeau / N. H. Photographes Ltée.
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EXHIBITION | SALON COMMERCIAL The CIM Exhibition is Canada’s premier mining show, featuring the latest in mining equipment, tools, technologies and services. Toronto will be hosting 425 exhibiting companies, and they are pulling out all the stops. To make it even easier to find partners and opportunities, a number of exhibitors are grouped under pavilions: 48e Nord (30 exhibitors); Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) (16 exhibitors); Denmark (10 exhibitors) Lunch and cocktail receptions at the CIM Exhibition: Monday and Tuesday (May 6 and 7), 12:00 to 14:00 and 15:30 to 17:00. Lunch and one drink ticket are included with the delegate registration fee. And, if you need to sit and relax, or are looking for a spot to sip coffee while you seal the deal with a new client, the CIM Magazine Lounge is where you want to be. In addition, a Job Fair will showcase opportunities at 18 companies.
E-SHOWCASE THE 2013 TORONTO CIM EXHIBITION IS SOLD OUT! CIM is offering companies on the waiting list a unique opportunity to participate in the convention as an exclusive e-Exhibitor. This visibility package is an excellent way of receiving extensive, comprehensive and multi-platform exposure at the highly anticipated convention in Toronto. Visit www.cim.org/toronto2013 for details. E-Exhibitor status allows you to maintain your priority points for the 2014 CIM Convention in Vancouver. It also guarantees you a priority appointment at the 2014 CIM Convention and significant exposure in the lead-up to and at the event itself – among other benefits.
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3D Laser Mapping 3M 48e Nord International (Pavillion) ABB Inc. ABC Canada Technology Group Ltd. Abresist Kalenborn Corporation Accenture Accurassay Laboratories Ltd. Accutron Instruments Inc. Aconex ACR Group Inc. Adelard Soucy (1975) Inc. AECOM Aecon Mining Agilent Technologies AH Industries A/S Industrial Solutions Air Liquide Akea Automation Aps Alaska Structures Allied Construction Products LLC ALS Tribology AMEC ANDRITZ AUTOMATION Ltd. Aphex Technologies Inc. APS Automated Positioning Systems Aquatech Armour Valve ASD Inc. ASGCO Atlantic Industries Limited Atlas Copco Mining and Rock Excavation Canada Aumund Group Ausenco Austin Powder Axter Coletanche Inc. B.I.D. Canada Ltd. Baldor Electric Co. BASF Corporation BBA Behlen Industries LP Bentley Systems BESTECH BEUMER Kansas City LLC BHP Billiton Canada Inc. Biodisk Corporation Bird Machines (Pty) Ltd. Blair Rubber Company Blast Movement Technologies BMH Systems Brandt Group of Companies Breaker Technology Ltd. Brevini Canada Ltd. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Britespan Building Systems Bruel & Kjaer Sound and Vibration A/S Business Improvement Group Butler Manufacturing Company C.C.JENSEN A/S Cab Products CAE Mining Canada Inc. Canada North Environmental Services Limited Partne Canadian Association of Mining Equipment & Service Canadian Light Source Inc. Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ)
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Canam Cansel Survey Equipment Carlson Software Cavotec Canada Inc. Cementation Canada Inc. Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) Chartrand Equipment Chemline Plastics Limited CK Logistics CLG Clifton Associates Ltd. COGEP ColasCanada Columbia Steel Casting Co. Inc. Conspec Controls Ltd. Continental Conveyor Ltd Control System International s.r.o. Cubex Limited Cummins Eastern Canada LP CWA Engineers Inc. Cypher Environmental Ltd. Damm Cellular Systems Danish Mining & Quarry Group (Pavillion) Davey Bickford Davidson Drilling Limited De Beers DebTech Degremont Ltee. Delom Services DELSAN-A.I.M. Environmental Services Inc. Dezide ApS DGI Geoscience DMC Mining Services DMK Inc. DRA Americas Inc. DSI Mining Canada Dumas Contracting Ltd. DynaIndustrial Dynamic Rock Support Dyno Nobel Canada Ebco Industries Ltd. Eclipse Combustion Canada Inc. EDS Decommissioning Canada Eirich Machines Inc. Emerson Endress+Hauser Enduride Canada USA Enerpac Engart Global Dust Extraction Technology Engineered Air Engineering Seismology Group Canada Inc. (ESG) F.F.P. Systems Inc. Fabspec Falcon Performance Footwear Fastenal Festo Inc. Filterfab/NFM Filtramax FKC - Lake Shore Flairbase Inc. Flanders Electric Motor Service Fleming College FLSmidth
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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FMC Technologies Four Leaf Solutions Inc. Fuller Industrial Corp. FWS Group of Companies G Plus Industrial Plastics inc. Gemcom (Dassault Systemes GEOVIA) General Cable General Electric General Kinematics Genivar Inc. GIW Industries Inc. GKM Consultants, Inc. Gladiator Equipment Inc. Global Inspections-NDT Inc. GMC Global Golder Associates Ltd. Graham Group Ltd. Gray Tools Canada Inc. Greatario Engineered Storage Systems Grindex Pumps Guard-All Building Solutions Canada Ltd. Gundlach Equipment Corporation Habitaflex Concept Inc. Hard Dollar HARD-LINE Hatch Hayward Gordon Ltd Heavy Structures BlueScope Construction Inc. Hein Lehmann Canada Inc. Hella Mining Canada Hepburn Engineering Inc. Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems Canada Inc. High Strength Plates and Profiles Inc. Hitachi Power Systems Canada Ltd. Honeywell Process Solutions Horne Group Hoskin Scientific IDS North America Ltd. IMAFS Inc. Imperial Oil Ltd. Independent Mining Consultants Inc. indurad GmbH - The Industrial Radar Company Industrial Fabrication Inc. Industrial Info Resources InfoMine Inc. Innovative Mining Products (Pty) Ltd. InnovExplo Inc. INO INPRO/SEAL Intergraph Intersystems Iracore International MN Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC ) Isograph Inc. ITW Devcon J.F. Comer Inc. Jebco Industries Jennmar Canada Jetco Heavy Duty Lighting JKTech Pty Ltd. John Brooks Company Limited Johnson Industries Ltd. Joy Global Kaeser Compressors Canada Inc. Kal Tire KBR Key Maintenance Technologies King Packaged Materials Company Klassen Specialty Hydraulics Inc. Klohn Crippen Berger Koehler Lighting Products Krupp Canada Inc.
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KSB Pumps Inc. L. Fournier & Fils inc. L.P. Royer Inc. Laidig Systems Inc. Laird Technologies Laser Distance Spectrometry Ltd. Lassing Dibben Consulting Engineers Ltd. Layfield Geosynthetics & Industrial Fabrics Ltd. Ledcor Industries Inc. Leica Geosystems Inc. Les Forages L.B.M. Inc. Les Industries Fournier Inc. Levert Personnel Resources Inc. Liebherr-Canada Ltd. Line Power Mfg. Corp. Luff Industries Ltd. LYNN Co Ltd. Maccaferri Canada Ltd. Machines Roger International Inc. MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Limited Major Wire Industries Limited Mammoet Canada West Maptek Maxam McLellan Industries Inc. MDH Engineered Solutions Corp. MDL Canada ME Elecmetal Medisys Megadoor USA Meglab Metallurgie Castech Inc. Met-Chem Canada Inc. Metcon Sales & Engineering Ltd. Metso Michelin North America Inc. Mine Cable Services Corp. Mine Design Technologies Mine Radio Systems Inc. Mine Site Technologies MineRP Canada Limited Mining Media Inc. Mining Technologies International Inc. MMD Mineral Sizing (Canada) Inc. Motion Metrics Int’l Corp. Moventas Ltd. MPI Mobile Parts Inc. MTU Mullen Trucking LP Multicrete Systems Inc. Multotec Canada Ltd. Natural Resources Canada MMS / IPD NCS Technology Inc. Newalta Corporation Newtrax Technologies Nilex Inc. Nordex Explosives Ltd. Normet Canada Ltd. Norseman Structures North American Construction Group North Fringe Industrial Technologies Inc. Northern Light Technologies NTN Bearing Corporation of Canada Ltd. OEM Controls Inc. One Eye Industries Ontario Construction Secretariat Optech Orica Canada Inc. OSIsoft (Canada) ULC Outotec (Canada) Ltd. P.R. Engineering Limited Pacific Bit of Canada Inc. Petro-Canada Lubricants
www.cim.org/toronto2013
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PinnacleAIS Placer Gold Design Pneuma-Tool Inc. Polar Mobility Research Ltd. POLARIS Laboratories ULC Polycorp Ltd. Polydeck Screen Corporation Pompaction Inc. PotashCorp Praetorian Construction Management Precismeca Limited Procon / Safemap ProMinent Fluid Controls Provix Puribec QPS Evaluation Services, Inc. Quadra Chemicals Queen’s University R.A.S. Industries Ltd. R.D.H. Mining Equipment Rail-Veyor Technologies Global Inc. Rajant Corporation RCM Modulaire Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. Reutech Radar Systems Rexnord Canada Limited RNE Americas Rock Construction & Mining Inc. Rock-Tech Rockwell Automation Romquest Technologies ROSTA Inc. Rousseau Metal RPM Tech RST Instruments Ltd. RubberSource Inc. RungePincockMinarco RW CTS Ltd. S&C Electric Canada Ltd. S.Huot Sandale Utility Products Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (Pavillion) Scanalyse Inc. Scantech International Pty Ltd. Schlumberger Schneider-Electric Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Schwing Bioset Inc. Senett Controls (Gessmann Group) Sense-Tech Weighing Systems ApS Separation Technologies LLC Seprotech Systems Inc. Services Industriels BEST H2O Inc. SEW-Eurodrive Co. of Canada Ltd. Shaft Drillers International Shell Oil SIEMAG TECBERG Inc. Siemens Canada Limited SIM Simson Maxwell SKF Canada Limited SmartRiver Industrial Ltd. SM-Cyclo Canada SME - Society for Mining Metallurgy & Exploration SMS Equipment Inc. SNC-Lavalin Snowden Solmax International Inc. Spicer Solution Providers Inc. Sprung Instant Structures Ltd.
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SPX SSAB STC Footwear StonCor Group - Canada Svendborg Brakes Sympatec Inc. Target Logistics Management, LLC Tech/Pro Inc. Technosub Industrial Pumps TECO-Westinghouse Motors (Canada) Inc. Tega Industries Limited Teledyne VariSystems TEMA Systems Inc. Tenova Mining and Minerals Tervita Corporation TesMan Inc. Tetra Tech TF Warren Group The Northern Miner Thermal Insulation Association of Canada Thermo Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific Group) Thunderbird Mining Systems Thyssen Mining TMEIC Tomra Sorting Toyo Pumps North America Tramac Equipment Ltd. Trimble Navigation TS Manufacturing UAP Inc. - NAPA Division Universal Roll Inc. Urecon Ltd. Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Vertical Building Solutions Inc. Voith Turbo Inc. Wabi Iron & Steel Corp. Wajax Equipment Wajax Power Weir Minerals - North America Westech WesTech Engineering Inc. Western Heritage Westlund Industrial Westpro Machinery Inc. WestRon Pumps Compressors and Blowers Westwind Performance Wire Rope Industries Ltd. WireCo WorldGroup Wolseley Canada / Fusionex Xylem Yaskawa America Inc. ZCL Composites Inc.
JOB FAIR
JF01 Detour Gold JF02 Cliffs Natural Resources - Mines Wabush JF03 Suncor Energy Inc. JF04 C.J. Stafford & Associates JF05 Canadian Natural Resources Limited - Horizon Oil S JF06 The Mosaic Company JF07 Teck Resources Ltd. JF08 Goldcorp JF09 Levert Personnel Resources Inc. JF10 Cameco Corporation JF11 Imperial Oil Limited Kearl Oil Sands JF12 KGHM International Ltd. JF13 Brunel JF14 Vale JF15 Xstrata Zinc JF16 AREVA Resources Canada Inc. JF17 Sherritt International Corporation JF18 Syncrude Canada Ltd. February 2013 | 89
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NEW – Certification in Ore Reserve Risk and Strategic Mine Planning Optimization
An Introduction to Cutoff Grade: Theory and Practice in Open Pit and Underground Mines
Spread over a period of four months, this four-week course is designed for busy mining professionals who wish to update their skills and knowledge base in modern modelling techniques for ore bodies and new risk-based optimization methodologies for strategic mine planning. Gain practical experience by applying the following hands-on concepts and technical methods: methods for modelling ore bodies; stochastic simulations, case studies and models of geological uncertainty; and demand-driven production scheduling and geological risk.
Cutoff grades are essential in determining the economic feasibility and mine life of a project. Learn how to solve most cutoff grade estimation problems by developing techniques and graphical analytical methods, about the relationship between cutoff grades and the design of pushbacks in open pit mines, and the optimization of block sizes in caving methods.
INSTRUCTOR: Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada • DATE: Week 1: June 10-14, Week 2: July 2-5, Week 3: August 26-30, Week 4: September 16-19, 2013 • CITY: Montreal, Quebec, Canada • INFO: www.mcgill.ca/conted/prodep/ore
Geostatistical Mineral Resource Estimation and Meeting the New Regulatory Environment: Step by Step from Sampling to Grade Control
Strategic Risk Management in Mine Design: From Life-of-Mine to Global Optimization Learn how you can have a significant, positive impact on your company’s bottom line by utilizing strategic mine planning methodologies and software; improve your understanding of strategic mine planning and life-of-mine optimization concepts, as well as your understanding of the relationship of uncertainty and risk, and how to exploit uncertainty in order to maximize profitability. Note: The strategic mine planning software used is Whittle. An optional half-day skills refresher workshop on Whittle may be available. INSTRUCTORS: Tarrant Elkington, Snowden, Australia; and Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada • DATE: To be determined • CITY: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
INSTRUCTOR: Jean-Michel Rendu, Newmont Mining Corporation, USA • DATE: September 4 - 6, 2013 • CITY: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Learn about the latest regulations on public reporting of resources/reserves through state-of-the-art statistical and geostatistical techniques; how to apply geostatistics to predict dilution and adapt reserve estimates to that predicted dilution; how geostatistics can help you categorize your resources in an objective manner; and how to understand principles of NI 43-101 and the SME Guide. INSTRUCTORS: Marcelo Godoy, Golder Associates, Chile; and Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada • DATE: September 9 - 13, 2013 • CITY: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Quantitative Mineral Resource Assessments: An Integrated Approach to Planning for Exploration Risk Reduction Learn about exploration risk analysis for strategic planning. Understand how to demonstrate how operational mineral deposit models can reduce uncertainties; make estimates of the number of undiscovered deposits; and integrate the information and examine the economic possibilities. INSTRUCTOR: Don Singer, USA; and David Menzie, U.S. Geological Survey, USA • DATE: September 23 – 25, 2013 • CITY: Montreal, Quebec,
Canada
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CIM community CIM Initiative
Remapping CIM Proposed district restructuring to strengthen ties between branches and CIM national
Restructuration de l’ICM La restructuration des districts consolidera les liens entre les sections locales et le bureau national de l’ICM
By Dinah Zeldin
Par Dinah Zeldin
The exact boundaries of the new districts remain to be determined, but the new structure would feature three districts for the country – West, Central and East. Les déliminations exactes sont encore à determiner, mais la nouvelle structure comprendrait trois districts sur l’ensemble du pays – l’Est, Centre et l’Ouest.
CIM has launched an initiative that proposes its sixdistrict structure be reconfigured to three districts in May 2013. Passed in a resolution to CIM Council last December, the decision was made to foster collaboration among branches and to encourage communication between local branches and the national office. Commensurate with this change, the governance structure would change from having one vice-president per district to having two vicepresidents and one or more CIM ambassadors – a post created to support the vice-presidents. The reconfiguration would align districts according to geographical proximity and likely business and operating synergies, while also ensuring an even distribution of branches per district. The East District would include Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, the Central District would span Ontario and Manitoba, and the West District would comprise Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Each new district would host 10 to 12 branches. CIM president Terence Bowles believes the reconfiguration will be an essential step in keeping CIM up to date
L’ICM vient de lancer une initiative de restructuration qui viserait à regrouper les six districts actuels en trois nouveaux districts en mai 2013. Dans le cadre d’une résolution adoptée par le Conseil de l’ICM au début de décembre, l’initiative a été lancée afin de favoriser la collaboration entre les sections locales et d’encourager la communication avec le bureau national. Pour accompagner ce changement, la structure de gouvernance passera également d’un vice-président par district à deux vice-présidents et compterait un ou plusieurs ambassadeurs de l’ICM, poste qui sera créé pour appuyer les vice-présidents. La restructuration regrouperait les sections locales selon la proximité géographique et tiendra compte des synergies et similitudes commerciales et d’exploitation, tout en maintenant une répartition équitable du nombre de sections par district. Le district de l’Est comprendrait le Québec et les provinces de l’Atlantique, le district du Centre regrouperait l’Ontario et le Manitoba, et enfin le district de l’Ouest comprendrait la Saskatchewan, l’Alberta, la Colombie-Britannique et le Nunavut, jusqu’au Territoires du Nord-Ouest et le Yukon. Chaque nouveau district compterait éventuellement de 10 à 12 sections. Le président de l’ICM, Terence Bowles, considère que cette restructuration serait une étape essentielle pour actualiser l’ICM dans une February 2013 | 91
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“... we need the input and participation of all CIM organizations.” – T. Bowles
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with the changing face of the industry. “In order to continue to strengthen the already well-respected CIM name, both nationally and internationally, we need the input and participation of all CIM organizations,” he explains. “What happens in B.C., Quebec or West Africa now impacts all of our members.” According to CIM executive director Jean Vavrek, the primary considerations in the reconfiguration of districts will be to evenly distribute the density of branches and to foster a greater sense of belonging to CIM national among branch members. “Some areas, like the East, have many more local branches, so it makes sense to have a geographically smaller district for that area,” he points out. “As a result, we will not overstretch a single district vicepresident and we will be able to provide better support to the branches.” “The district vice-presidents and council recognized that governance and communication on the district side were not as productive as they might be, so we put together a committee to identify ways that might improve communications and better define the roles of the vice-presidents,” says Robert Schafer, CIM president-elect and executive vice-president of Hunter Dickinson Inc., who first proposed the project. “One of our priorities was to simplify the vice-president position and to continue attracting highcalibre, dedicated people to take on this important role.” The election of two vice-presidents – one per year so that terms are staggered – would also help more clearly define the role of the vice-president and manage the distribution of responsibilities. For each vice-president, priorities would depend on the year in office: the first year’s focus would be liaising with in-district branches and societies to foster cooperation, while the second year in office would be devoted to both organizing the Annual District Meeting and mentoring the incoming vice-president. With these responsibilities, both vice-presidents would have established personal connections at both the branch and national levels by the end of their terms in office. “Having specific leadership responsibility, but also having the ability to share the travel responsibilities will make taking on the role of district vice-president a lot more manageable,” says Schafer, who expressed that finding passionate candidates for the role had been a challenge in the past due to travel requirements. Each district would also have at least one CIM ambassador – a new support position. The CIM ambassador, a role
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« ... nous avons besoin de la rétroaction et de la participation de toutes les organisations de l’ICM. » – T. Bowles
industrie changeante. « Afin de continuer de renforcer la réputation déjà bien établie de l’ICM, tant à l’échelle nationale qu’internationale, nous avons besoin de la rétroaction et de la participation de toutes les organisations de l’ICM, précise-t-il. Ce qui se passe en C.-B., au Québec ou en Afrique occidentale a maintenant des répercussions sur tous nos membres. » Le directeur exécutif de l’ICM, Jean Vavrek, est d’avis que les principales considérations de la restructuration des districts seront de rétablir une répartition équitable de la densité des sections et de favoriser un sentiment accru d’appartenance au bureau national au sein des membres des sections locales. « Certaines régions, comme l’Est, comptent plus de sections, de sorte que le district géographique sera plus restreint pour cette région, ajoute-t-il. Par conséquent, aucun vice-président de district ne sera surchargé et nous serons en mesure de mieux appuyer nos sections. » « Les vice-présidents de district et le Conseil reconnaissent que le rendement de la gouvernance et de la communication dans les districts n’était pas suffisant, c’est pourquoi nous avons mis sur pied un comité pour déterminer des façons d’améliorer les communications et mieux définir les rôles des vice-présidents », indique Robert Schafer, président-élu de l’ICM et vice-président à la direction de Hunter Dickinson Inc., instigateur de ce projet. « L’une de nos priorités était de simplifier le poste de vice-président et de continuer d’attirer des personnes dévouées de haut calibre dans ce rôle. » L’élection de deux vice-présidents – un par année de sorte que leur mandat alterne – permettrait également de mieux définir le rôle du vice-président et de gérer la répartition des responsabilités. Pour chaque vice-président, les priorités dépendraient de leur année en poste : la première année misera sur la liaison avec les sections du district et les sociétés afin de favoriser la coopération, tandis que la deuxième année en poste misera sur l’organisation de la réunion annuelle de district et le mentorat du vice-président qui en est à sa première année. En s’acquittant de leurs responsabilités, les deux viceprésidents auraient la chance de tisser des liens personnels dans les sections locales et au bureau national avant la fin de leur mandat. « La définition de responsabilités précises de leadership, mais également la possibilité de se répartir les responsabilités liées aux déplacements facilitera la gestion du rôle de vice-président de district », indique M. Schafer, qui remarque que le recrutement de candidats passionnés pour le rôle a été difficile par les années passées en raison des déplacements requis. Chaque district pourrait également compter sur au moins un ambassadeur de l’ICM – un nouveau poste de soutien. L’ambassa-
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CIM community
initially proposed by former CIM president Chris TwiggeMolecey, would be a nationally active volunteer with past CIM knowledge who is interested in supporting district vice-presidents. The ambassador’s responsibilities would include visiting local branches on their behalf and filling in for them at certain CIM events. “The CIM ambassador role creates a real opportunity for building stronger relationships between the national and branch levels,” notes Schafer. Another governance component that would be enacted as part of the reconfiguration initiative is an annual congress in which council, district vice-presidents and as many branch chairs as possible would meet to discuss issues, exchange knowledge and provide orientation for incoming district vice-presidents. According to Schafer, this congress would bring both opportunity and visibility to future CIM leaders and would provide a broader population for the selection of future district vice-presidents. “It is the branch leaders who could become district vice-presidents and council members, and, if we have them all together, all can see who the interested and dedicated individuals are,” he points out. While the reconfiguration would not change how local branches structure and govern themselves, having fewer districts and clearly defined responsibilities for their vicepresidents would offer branches a stronger connection to the national level so that they can benefit from the programs CIM offers and have more impact on the strategic direction of the Institute. “District vice-presidents will have pre-council meeting conference calls to ask branch chairs about issues they face, and post-council meetings to relay results,” explains Schafer. “This will create a stronger, more connected CIM.” The reconfiguration is essential for supporting the interests of both individual members, and the growth and development of CIM, adds Vavrek. “It is more important than ever to have strong two-way communication between branches at the local level and CIM national,” he says. “The industry is changing faster and faster, and CIM wants to be more connected so that we can all participate in making the decisions that will most benefit our members.” While the process is well underway, details – such as district boundaries and vice-president job descriptions – are scheduled to be tabled at the CIM Council meeting this coming March. CIM
deur de l’ICM, un rôle proposé à l’origine par l’ancien président de l’ICM Chris Twigge-Molecey, sera un bénévole actif à l’échelle nationale, doté d’une expérience antécédente de l’ICM et souhaitant appuyer les vice-présidents de district en visitant les sections locales en leur nom et en les représentant dans le cadre de certains événements de l’ICM, au besoin. « Le rôle de l’ambassadeur de l’ICM se veut une véritable occasion de consolider les relations entre le bureau national et les sections », souligne M. Schafer. Cette initiative de restructuration amènerait l’adoption d’un autre élément de gouvernance sous la forme d’un congrès annuel, congrès où le Conseil, les vice-présidents de district ainsi que le plus grand nombre possible de présidents de sections se rencontrent pour discuter des enjeux, échanger leurs connaissances et proposer l’orientation à venir des vice-présidents de district. M. Schafer considère que ce congrès offrirait des occasions et de la visibilité aux prochains leaders de l’ICM et élargirait le bassin de candidats pour la sélection des prochains vice-présidents de district. « Ces leaders de sections sont peut-être les vice-présidents de district et les membres du Conseil de demain, et si nous arrivons à les réunir, nous pourrons repérer les personnes intéressées et dévouées », précise-t-il. Bien que la restructuration ne modifierait en rien la façon dont les sections locales sont structurées et se régissent, la réduction du nombre de districts et la clarification des responsabilités des vice-présidents permettraient aux sections d’établir des liens plus solides avec le bureau national et ainsi de tirer parti des programmes de l’ICM et d’accroître leur influence sur l’orientation stratégique de l’Institut. « Dans une conférence téléphonique préparatoire à l’assemblée du Conseil, les vice-présidents de district s’adresseront aux présidents de sections pour connaître les enjeux auxquels ils font face, et les résultats seront transmis dans le cadre de rencontres postassemblées, explique Robert Schafer. L’ICM en sortira plus fort et plus uni. » Selon M. Vavrek, la restructuration est essentielle pour favoriser les intérêts des membres individuels ainsi que la croissance et le développement de l’ICM. « Il est plus important que jamais d’établir une communication ouverte et solide entre les sections à l’échelle locale et nationale de l’ICM, ajoute-t-il. L’industrie évolue de plus en plus rapidement et l’ICM cherche à consolider ses liens afin que nous puissions tous participer aux décisions les plus avantageuses pour nos membres. » Le processus pour la restructuration est bien amorcé et certains éléments, dont la répartition des sections et la description du rôle des vice-présidents, sont à l’ordre du jour de la prochaine rencontre du Conseil d’administration de l’ICM, qui se tiendra en mars prochain. ICM
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CIM community Events
All things mining under one roof Québec Mines 2012 gets warm reception
Peter Braul
Dominique Dionne speaks about the Quebec mining sector’s strength. Dominique Dionne parle de la force du secteur minier du Québec.
Tout sur les mines, sous le même toit Un accueil chaleureux pour Québec Mines 2012 By/Par Alain Castonguay
Québec Mines 2012, held from November 26 to 29, brought 6,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors to the Centre des congrès de Québec in Quebec City. Although it was the Ministère des Ressources naturelles’ (MRN) first solo convention, the event featured a jam-packed program, including technical sessions, an exhibition, a job fair and an educational show for the general public. After years of sharing the organization of the event with the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (AEMQ), MRN presented its own convention at a new venue, attracting a wide range of attendees, including mining company staff, suppliers, researchers and representatives of public and private training organizations. The event was coordinated with support from CIM, the Québec Mining Association (QMA), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Québec, the Comité sectoriel de main d’œuvre de l’industrie des mines, Québec International and the Institut national des mines. 96 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Le congrès Québec Mines 2012, qui s’est tenu du 26 au 29 novembre, a rassemblé 6 000 participants et plus de 300 exposants au Centre des congrès de Québec. S’il s’agissait du premier colloque solo du ministère des Ressources naturelles (MRN), l’événement offrait un programme bien rempli comprenant des ateliers techniques, une foire, un carrefour de l’emploi et une exposition éducative à l’intention du grand public. Après avoir organisé conjointement l’événement avec l’Association de l’exploration minière du Québec (AEMQ) pendant plusieurs années, le MRN a présenté son propre congrès à un nouvel endroit et attiré un vaste éventail de participants, comme le personnel de sociétés minières, des fournisseurs, des chercheurs et des représentants d’organismes de formation publics et privés. Les coordonnateurs de l’événement ont profité du soutien de l’ICM, de l’Association minière du Québec (AMQ), de la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie du Québec, du Comité sectoriel de main d’œuvre de l’industrie des mines, de Québec International et de l’Institut national des mines.
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CIM community
CIM executive director Jean Vavrek said the change of venue was advantageous: “The new location allows for better networking on the exhibition floor and the flow of foot traffic is better for getting from one session to another. There were more people than usual, but the larger space afforded by the convention centre allowed for easier and more pleasant circulation.” Industry received a warm reception from local governments and the community. Robert Marquis, Quebec’s associate deputy minister for mines, was impressed by the public participation in Québec Mines for All, an open-door day featuring CIM’s educational Mining for Society (M4S) exhibit that attracted 800 people. Also, the QMA president and Québec Mines honorary president, Dominique Dionne, spoke about the Quebec mining sector’s world-class capacity for research and development. “Our expertise is recognized globally,” she said. “There are Quebec mining engineers all over the world.” MRN Minister Martine Ouellet, who presented the major taxation changes in the provincial budget tabled the previous week, also expressed support for the industry, assuaging concerns over the government's plan to revise the mining royalties system. Technical presentations and workshops touched on all aspects of the industry, from exploration and operations, to mine closure and financing. New modules devoted to networking, recruitment and human resources were showcased as well. At the plenary session “Mining Development, Society and Global Trends: Where Does Quebec Stand?” Martin Granger of Deloitte provided a preview of the firm’s annual report, Tracking the trends 2012, which was released shortly thereafter. In the “Geoscience and Mining Challenges of Northern Development” session, Ted Moses, former grand chief of the Cree Nation of Quebec, praised the merits of the partnership between the Cree and the Quebec government, which came from the “Paix des Braves” agreement, to which he was a signatory in 2002. And keynote speaker Thierry Rodon, research chair in sustainable development of the North at Université Laval, addressed the environmental and social legacy of mining projects. Although the exhibition floor teemed with activity, there were few exploration companies. Some braced for what may be a tough year ahead. “This is not an easy time,” said Roland Horst, CEO of CBay Minerals, speaking about his company’s attempt to relaunch the Corner Bay copper deposit project near Chibougamau. “We need to find $15 million on the financial markets to launch production by the end of 2013.” Still, Québec Mines 2012 offered plenty of chances for delegates to find future opportunities through networking. These included the job fair, which attracted 300 people, and an exciting social program that featured a guided night out on the town to sample local cuisine and connect with other industry stakeholders. Québec Mines 2013 will take place a little earlier this year, from November 11 to 14. CIM
Aux dires du directeur exécutif de l’ICM, Jean Vavrek, le déménagement a été avantageux : « Le hall d’exposition du nouvel endroit est favorable au réseautage, et l’écoulement de la circulation piétonne facilite les déplacements entre les séances. L’achalandage a été plus grand que d’habitude, mais le Centre des congrès, plus spacieux, a permis une circulation plus aisée et plus agréable. » Les membres du secteur ont été accueillis chaleureusement par le gouvernement local et la collectivité. Robert Marquis, sousministre associé aux Mines du Québec, a été impressionné par la participation du public à Québec Mines pour tous, une journée « portes ouvertes » comprenant l’exposition éducative M4S de l’ICM, qui a attiré 800 personnes. En outre, la présidente de l’AMQ et présidente honoraire de Québec Mines, Dominique Dionne, a parlé de la capacité de recherche et de développement de calibre mondial du secteur minier du Québec. « Notre expertise est reconnue à l’échelle internationale », a-t-elle dit. « Il y a des ingénieurs des mines québécois partout dans le monde. » La ministre de Ressources naturelles, Martine Ouellet, qui a présenté les changements majeurs à l’impôt dans le budget provincial déposé la semaine précédente, a également exprimé son appui à l’égard du secteur et a rassuré les participants quant au projet du gouvernement de réviser le système de droits d’exploitation des mines. Des exposés et des ateliers techniques ont porté sur tous les aspects du secteur, de l’exploration à l’exploitation en passant par la fermeture de mine et le financement. De nouveaux modules consacrés à la constitution de réseaux, au recrutement et aux ressources humaines ont également été ajoutés. À la séance plénière « Développement minier, société et tendances mondiales : où le Québec se situe-t-il? », Martin Granger de Deloitte a donné un aperçu du rapport annuel Tracking the trends 2012, qui a été publié peu de temps après. Dans la séance « Les enjeux géoscientifiques et miniers du développement nordique », Ted Moses, ancien grand chef de la nation crie du Québec, a fait les éloges du partenariat entre les Cris et le gouvernement du Québec, issu de l’entente de paix des braves, dont il a été signataire en 2002. Et le conférencier invité Thierry Rodon, titulaire d’une chaire de recherche sur le développement durable du nord à l’Université Laval, s’est penché sur les héritages environnementaux et sociaux des projets miniers. Si le hall d’exposition fourmillait d’activité, les sociétés d’exploration étaient peu nombreuses à l’appel. Certaines se préparaient à une année qui pourrait s’avérer difficile. « Les temps sont durs », a dit Roland Horst, chef de la direction de CBay Minerals, au sujet de la tentative de sa société de relancer le projet de gisement de cuivre de Corner Bay, près de Chibougamau. « Nous devons trouver 15 millions de dollars sur les marchés financiers pour lancer la production d’ici la fin de 2013. » Tout de même, Québec Mines 2012 a offert amplement de chances aux congressistes de saisir des occasions futures par le réseautage. Il s’agissait notamment du carrefour de l’emploi, qui a attiré 300 personnes, et d’activités sociales excitantes comme une excursion guidée de la ville pour découvrir la cuisine locale et rencontrer d’autres parties prenantes du secteur. Le congrès Québec Mines 2013 aura lieu un peu plus tôt cette année, soit du 11 au 14 novembre. ICM February 2013 | 97
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CIM community Events
It all starts with a culture Safety and reliability symposium highlights the importance of training and awareness
When 100 mining sector professionals came together at the second annual Safety Management & System Reliability Conference, the general consensus was that accidents must be prevented before they happen. The event, held at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center and organized by CIM and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME), featured a technical program dedicated to identifying processes and strategies that companies can implement to reduce safety incidents and to improve reliability. Jean Sweeney, vice-president of environmental, health and safety operations for 3M, opened the conference with a presentation about the 110-year-old technology company’s commitment to safety and process reliability. According to Sweeney, it is vital to create a working culture that espouses the ideals of both safety and reliability. She explained how the complete integration of safety and reliability into all aspects of 3M’s operation – from principles to processes and training of staff – has allowed the company to excel in this arena. The importance of incorporating a strong safety culture into training programs was emphasized in a presentation by Matthew Main, Freeport-McMoRan’s Climax mine health and safety manager. Main pointed out that when the mine restarted operations in 2012, and management needed to hire from outside the industry to fill the 300 job openings, developing a strong safety culture became a top priority. The role of reliability was also touted as an essential component. Dennis Jackson, vice-president at Behavioral Science Technology (BST), spoke of the need to establish a culture of reliability to prevent catastrophic injury and examined the cultural factors that may fail to protect against fatality events. It is quite common for management to say something like, “We have a great safety record and our 98 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
Photo courtesy of Luminant
By William Gleason
Luminant Mining’s shift in safety and reliability practices encouraged mine employees to be proactive about reporting risks.
recordable injury rate is among the lowest,” he revealed. But, according to Jackson, a solid safety record is only part of the solution, as leaders must also understand what having a culture of reliability and safety means, while identifying actions required to build such a culture. “World-class companies are the ones in which people are engaged in safety and reliability, and they are looking at the right things,” he explains. A case study examining how Luminant Mining transformed its approach to safety and reliability by adopting a “Just Culture” approach cemented the importance of integrating safe and reliable practices. In his presentation, Luminant’s director of maintenance George Boudreau explained that the old reactive way of dealing with incidents led to a punishment-driven environment, where staff did not feel at ease providing essential information that could prevent incidents. When Luminant adopted a new attitude, where the distinction between willful violations and unintentional errors was recognized, it made staff feel more comfortable
reporting issues, and in turn it allowed the mining company to both identify latent weaknesses and be proactive about resolving issues. While building a safety culture was at the forefront of discussions, technology also got its 15 minutes. Justin Johnsen, product manager of maintenance systems at Modular Mining Systems, noted that while technology is not a silver bullet, it can help organizations transform the industry. Johnsen’s presentation, “Lean on me: How lean processes can improve equipment reliability,” focused on how technology can improve reliability. Other presenters who focused on this topic included Gerald McElrea of Hatch, who spoke about reliability improvements through defect elimination, and Roger Marchand of BAY6 Solutions, who explained how employing advanced magnetic filtration for controlling ferrous contamination in fluids can help with early failure detection. The third annual symposium on safety and reliability in the mining and resources industries will be held October 20 to 22, 2013, at the Hilton Toronto. CIM
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CIM community Award Winner
Multi-dimensional man Underground Mining Society Award winner Charles Graham connects industry with academia By Correy Baldwin
“We have it in mind that we’re going to pursue one course and life takes us on different roads,” says Charles Graham, managing director at the Canadian Mining Industry Research Organization (CAMIRO). He is the first recipient of the Underground Mining Society Award, since the group was formed from members of CIM’s Metal Mining Society in May 2011. Since his early start with summer jobs in Labrador’s iron mines while studying mining engineering at Queen’s University, Graham has experience working on all sides of the industry and has garnered recognition through both his own mining engineering and research, and his focus on training young recruits. Even as a student, Graham was not content with following a single path. He was always looking to dig below the surface. “I was a nut about cars, a gear head,” he says. “So my mindset was bent on the mechanical side of things.” He got to know a mining engineer who also ran the maintenance department at the iron mine. The two “got along like wildfire,” and soon he was working in maintenance. This early start and mentorship opportunity secured him a job as a mining health and safety inspector in Ontario. By the early 1980s he was Ontario’s senior rock mechanics engineer. “That turned out to be a really interesting time, because we had all the rock bursting here in Sudbury that generated the Stevenson Commission in 1985, which looked into ground stability and mine rescue,” recalls Graham. “The whole place was just popping; it was just active, seismically. One of the recommendations of the Commission was that the Ontario mining industry take a stronger position and do more positive engagement with its own research and development.” The result was the creation of the Mining Research Directorate (MRD), which Graham joined as its first director. When MRD teamed up with other organizations in 1983 to become CAMIRO, Graham became managing director of the mining division, and has held the position ever since. Today, CAMIRO coordinates research, linking industry to researchers, but, Graham says, satisfying the timeframe of both parties can be difficult. “Something has to give, in terms of the longer vision of research and how we can capture the needs of the industry,” he explains. “If I want to give a project to a master’s student for his thesis, it has to be an 18 month-long project – and yet we have to deliver in a timely way to the industry, otherwise the people we’re delivering to are no longer the people who initiated it.”
It is all a matter of working incrementally. “We have to decide what parts we can get done in a reasonable time,” Graham says. “We have to keep stuff coming to industry in rapid-fire, small chunks to let them know that they’re still participating, that their money is being well spent, that we’re asking the right questions and delivering the product they can use.” Because of his position somewhere between the ivory tower and the pit, Graham has a particular interest in easing students’ transitions into the workforce. It is a period of time when, he says, a lot of mining companies get their priorities mixed up. “The problem is that entrance into the industry is directly related to the price curve,” Graham says, citing examples of companies laying off student workers midway through their training the moment the market turns. “My interest is how to counter those kinds of forces, how to assist young people.” Graham advocates accommodating young trainees during downturns, as well as programs in which students’ transitions into the workforce are built into their educational program: a tapering out of academia and into the industry. “You have your skillset by the time you graduate,” he says. “Industry people have had a good chance to work with you, and you have an industrial mindset by then, plus you’ve never lost that willingness to learn.” CIM
VISIT www.cim.org/awardwinners to learn about other industry leaders
ACHIEVEMENTS Redpath celebrates 50 years The Redpath Group celebrated 50 years of activity at a gala in North Bay, Ontario. The company provides mine contracting and engineering services in both the local and foreign markets, and has offices in Canada, Australia, Chile, Germany, Indonesia, Mongolia, South Africa and the United States. During the gala event, company founder Jim Redpath received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
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CIM community Distinguished Lecturer
Deep exploration Wayne Goodfellow unravels the mysteries of SEDEX deposits By Alex Lopez Pacheco
Wayne Goodfellow, a research scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), vividly remembers the time he and his cousin thought they had discovered a major coal deposit near their family farm in New Brunswick. “It was on a coal seam in Pennsylvanian rocks exposed along the Miramichi River,” he says. “We were 12 and we thought we’d found the mother lode.” Goodfellow went on to study geology at Mount Allison University and the University of New Brunswick. In 1976, he applied for a research position with the GSC, got the job and found himself responsible for a threeyear project to undertake geochemical surveys of large areas of the Yukon. In 1985, he and his colleagues discovered a zinc-copper massive sulphide deposit on the seafloor not far from Vancouver Island, which turned out to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. In his CIM Distinguished Lecturer presentation, “Sedimentary-exhalative (SEDEX) Zn-Pb Deposits: current concepts on their geology, genesis and exploration,” Goodfellow examines the attributes of SEDEX deposits and suggests refinements to exploration methodology. CIM: Why have you chosen to focus your research on SEDEX deposits? Goodfellow: It is an important class of deposits. It’s a major source of zinc, lead, silver and copper. Canada has world-class deposits like the Sullivan deposit in B.C., which is no longer in production. I want to help develop an understanding of the fundamental controls for the formation of these deposits, and to apply this knowledge to the exploration of sedimentary basins in Canada. CIM: Your research on SEDEX deposits spans decades. What did some of your earlier work involve? Goodfellow: I had an opportunity, through GSC’s sea floor minerals program, to work on sulphide deposits that are actively forming along the Juan de Fuca Ridge off the coast of B.C. It was a great experience: I actually went down in a submersible to observe and sample deposits, and participated in the drilling of these deposits under the Ocean Drilling Program. This research on a modern system provided a lot of insight into the
formation and exploration of SEDEX deposits in ancient sedimentary basins. CIM: What makes understanding the formation of SEDEX deposits a challenge? Goodfellow: SEDEX deposits only started to form about two billion years ago. And since their formation was dependent on the seafloor environment, it is important to understand ocean evolution through geological time. During the Archean geological eon, oceans were very different from what they are today. They were dominated by ferrous compounds and were very low in sulphur. That composition impeded the buildup of hydrogen sulphide, or H2S, in the water column. H2S is essential for the precipitation of lead, zinc, copper and other metals that form SEDEX deposits. Even if those metals were discharged into an Archean ocean by vents in oceanic ridges – where the seawater had seeped into the oceanic crust and dissolved minerals – they would never precipitate and form sulphide deposits on the ancient seafloor. But around two billion years ago the oceans changed from enriched in ferrous iron to dominated by reduced sulphur, reflecting the buildup of atmospheric oxygen and seawater sulphate. Higher levels of sulphate promoted the bacterial reduction of sulphate to sulphide (H2S), which was essential to the precipitation of zinc, lead and other metals. Another factor that led to the formation of SEDEX deposits is the stratification of ancient oceans. Oceans today are wellcirculated and ventilated, meaning there is oxygen throughout the water column. But over the last two billion years, the oceans were periodically stratified with an upper water column that was oxygenated and a lower water column that was depleted in oxygen and enriched in H2S. CIM: What does all this mean from the perspective of exploration? Goodfellow: If we understand which geological factors determine the amount of metals vented over time, and the origin and size of the deposits, we will be able to identify the best indicators for the exploration of SEDEX deposits. The geochemical vectors that are most effective in locating deposits, particularly those concealed at deep below the Earth’s crust, will hopefully lead to more discoveries. CIM
TO BOOK A DISTINGUISHED LECTURER visit www.cim.org, call (514) 939-2710 or email dist_lecturer@cim.org. POUR DEMANDER UN CONFÉRENCIER, visitez www.cim.org, téléphonez au (514) 939-2710, ou envoyez un courriel à dist_lecturer@cim.org. 100 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
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CIM community Education
Learning in the field B.C. industry connects with teachers through educational initiatives
MineralsEd, a non-profit, industrysupported organization dedicated to providing K-12 education about Earth sciences, mineral resources and mining, plays a unique role in British Columbia. In cooperation with the mining industry, MineralsEd runs various programs for teachers and students, which help build a well-informed public and stimulate young peoples’ interest in minerals industry careers. In October 2012, MineralsEd, formally known as Mineral Resources Education Program of B.C., organized four professional development field trips for 135 teachers. These trips included a Nanaimo Area GeoTour presented in partnership with Vancouver Island University geologists Steven Earle and Tim Stokes, and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) geologist Malaika Ulmi; a Stanley Park Geotour delivered to Lower Mainland teachers in partnership with NRCan geologists Bob Turner and Marianne Quat; a tour of New Gold’s New Afton copper-gold mine for Kamloops area teachers; and a tour of Walter Energy’s Willow Creek coal mine for teachers in the Peace River region. The pros teamed up with a MineralsEd teacher who facilitated the outing, serving as a translator of technical language and advising on both curriculum ties and how to adapt content for students. Geology field trip leaders selected outcrop stops to illustrate important geologic processes, from rock formation to mountain building, and to help build a picture of the natural history of the area. Field observations combined with the guides’ interpretations helped teachers relate textbook concepts to the real world. The field trips also provided a context for discussing ore deposits and mining, as well as natural hazards related to the tectonically active, mountainous province. This learning experience for the teachers also
Photo courtesy of MineralsEd
By Sheila R. Stenzel
The Stanley Park Geotour group examines the Cretaceous sandstone-Tertiary andesite contact near Siwash Rock.
serves as a model for them to run similar field trips with their students. Mine visits began with an overview presentation that introduced key aspects of the operation – its history, its productivity, the workforce, markets and its community involvement. Throughout the tour, teachers saw the scale of operations, observed how mineral resources are extracted and processed, and were introduced to the specialty equipment, technology and people involved. Mine personnel with expertise in the different areas visited shared information and answered teachers’ questions. Teachers on the New Afton site visit went underground to observe the infrastructure for block caving copper-gold ore mining and learned why that method was used. They also learned about the company’s employment and training partnership with nearby First Nations. Teachers visiting Willow Creek observed large-scale surface mining of coal in mountainous terrain and learned about the mine’s support for students in the Secondary School Apprenticeship program – a partnership between the Industry Trades Association and the B.C.
Ministry of Education that lets students work as apprentices before they finish high school. Since 1991, MineralsEd has supported hundreds of teachers by facilitating geology field trips and mine site visits in nearly all regions of the province. Participants have visited metal and coal mines, open pit and underground operations, industrial mineral mines and aggregate operations, fly-in mining camps and mineral processing plants. These trips are an essential part of MineralsEd’s long-standing school program. Its outreach initiatives include professional development workshops for K-12 teachers, teacher and student programs at industry conferences, elementary classroom workshops and work placements for high school students. Collectively, these projects have supported more than 8,100 teachers and 740,000 students across the province. CIM To learn more about MineralsEd’s resources and programs visit MineralsEd.ca February 2013 | 101
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TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS
CIM
journal
Étude des critères de fiabilité des bancs miniers : le cas de la fosse Tiriganiaq au Nunavut M. Grenon, J. Kabuya Mukendi, Département de génie des mines, de la métallurgie et des matériaux, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada; J. Hadjigeorgiou, Lassonde Institute of Mining, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; P. Matte, F. Brunet, D. LeBlanc, Mines Agnico-Eagle Limitée, Services techniques, Division régionale, Cadillac, Québec, Canada
ABSTRACT Bench stability in mines is an important element of pit design. There is no consensus on which criteria to use to evaluate the bench design reliability. When designing the pits, bench design reliability is analyzed according to one or two criteria. The objective of this paper is to analyze the bench design for the Tiriganiaq pit, part of the Meliadine mine project, with regards to the reliability criteria found in the literature and in practice. The paper presents the similarities and the differences between the results obtained according to the various criteria and it proposes a systematic multicriteria approach to evaluate pit bench design reliability using susceptibility maps. RÉSUMÉ La stabilité des bancs miniers est un élément important de la conception des fosses. Il n’y a pas de consensus sur les critères à utiliser pour évaluer la fiabilité des bancs miniers. Lors de la conception des fosses, la fiabilité des bancs miniers est analysée à l’aide d’un ou deux critères. L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser l’efficacité de la conception des bancs miniers de la fosse Tiriganiaq du projet minier Meliadine par rapport à des critères de fiabilité rencontrés dans la littérature et la pratique. L’article présente les similitudes et les différences entre les résultats obtenus pour les différents critères et propose une approche multicritère systématique pour évaluer la fiabilité des bancs miniers à l’aide de cartes de susceptibilité.
Equipment lifespan optimization L. Chunpongtong, MineRP Canada Limited, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ABSTRACT Compared to equipment used in hard rock mines, the lifespan of equipment deployed in oil sands operations tends to be shortened due to the abrasive nature of the material and soft ground conditions in which it operates. One of the challenges of oil sands mine planning is to determine the most cost-effective replacement time for aging equipment. For cost engineers dealing with aging equipment, the options become an economic trade-off between taking the chance of higher frame failure or buying new equipment. Therefore, the ultimate question is: “When is the best time to replace the equipment?” RÉSUMÉ Par rapport aux équipements utilisés dans les mines en roche dure, la durée de vie des équipements utilisés dans les exploitations de sables bitumineux tend à être raccourcie en raison de la nature abrasive des matériaux et des conditions de sol mou dans lesquelles ils opèrent. L’un des défis de la planification des mines de sables bitumineux est de déterminer le temps de remplacement le plus rentable pour les équipements vieillissants. Pour les ingénieurs spécialistes des coûts traitant des équipements vieillissants, les options deviennent des compromis économiques entre la chance plus élevée de défaillance du châssis ou l’achat de nouveaux équipements. La question ultime est donc : « Quel est le meilleur moment pour remplacer les équipements ? »
Excerpts taken from abstracts in CIM Journal, Vol. 3, No. 4. To subscribe, to submit a paper or to be a peer reviewer—www.cim.org
102 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
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TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS
canadian metallurgical quarterly Modelling of bubble size in industrial flotation columns F. López-Saucedo, A. Uribe-Salas, R. Pérez-Garibay, CINVESTAV-IPN Unidad Saltillo, Carr. Saltillo-Monterrey km 13, Ramos Arizpe, Coah. México L. Magallanes-Hernández, and C. Lara-Valenzuela, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico, SAPSA Peñoles, Torreón, Coah. México
ABSTRACT One of the commonly used models to estimate the bubble size in flotation columns is the drift-flux model, initially proposed by Wallis in 1962, which estimates the bubble size based on experimental measurements of gas velocity (Jg), gas hold-up (eg) and pulp downward velocity (Jsl). The model has been considered as an alternative to estimate the average bubble size (d32) in flotation cells and columns, when this cannot be measured experimentally, which is usually the case. However, the model has been validated only at laboratory and pilot scale. This paper presents the results of an extensive experimental program to test the model conducted at the industrial scale. The test program involved measuring the gas dispersion parameters (Jg, eg and d32) in flotation columns at five concentrators. The data collected were used to estimate the average bubble size using the drift-flux model. A good correlation was found between the bubble size estimated with the model and measured experimentally. RESUMÉ L’un des modèles fréquemment utilisés pour évaluer la taille de bulle des colonnes de flottation est le modèle à flux de dérive, proposé initialement par Wallis en 1962, lequel évalue la taille de bulle en se basant sur les mesures expérimentales de la vitesse du gaz (Jg), du volume mort (eg) et de la vitesse de la pulpe vers le bas (Jsl). On a considéré le modèle comme solution de rechange à l’évaluation de la taille moyenne de bulle (d32) dans les cellules et les colonnes de flottation, lorsque l’on ne peut pas la mesurer expérimentalement, ce qui est habituellement le cas. Cependant, le modèle a été validé seulement à l’échelle du laboratoire et à l’échelle pilote. Cet article présente les résultats d’un vaste programme expérimental pour évaluer le modèle à l’échelle industrielle. Le programme d’évaluation impliquait la mesure des paramètres de dispersion du gaz (Jg, eg et d32) dans des colonnes de flottation à cinq concentrateurs. On a utilisé les données captées pour évaluer la taille moyenne de bulle en utilisant le modèle à flux de dérive. On a trouvé une bonne corrélation entre la taille de bulle évaluée avec le modèle et mesurée expérimentalement.
Role of ferric ions in bioleaching of uranium from low tenor indian ore Abhilash and B.D. Pandey, National Metallurgical Laboratory (Csir), Jamshedpur, 831007, India
ABSTRACT The role of biogenic ferric ions in leaching of uranium by A.ferrooxidans from a low grade ore of Turamdih mines in India has been investigated. Using the enriched culture of bacterial isolate containing mainly Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans from the source mine water, biorecovery of 98 per cent uranium at 20 per cent (w/v) pulp density, 1.7pH and 35ºC temperature using <76 µm particles in 40 days was obtained. The effect of temperature on bioleaching of uranium showed higher recovery at 35ºC. The uranium dissolution was facilitated by iron(III) available in the leach liquor because of bacterial oxidation of pyrite and chemical dissolution of magnetite present in the ore under acidic conditions. The biogenically generated Fe(III) ions enhanced uranium dissolution from the uraninite ore. The bioleaching of uranium appeared to follow a chemical control kinetic model with the reaction of lixiviant - Fe(III) and acid on the surface of the solid in the temperature range 25-35ºC. Phase identification by XRD and the study of surface morphology of the ore and the residue by SEM study corroborated the above mechanism of uranium leaching. RESUMÉ On a étudié le rôle des ions ferriques biogènes dans la lixiviation de l’uranium par A. ferrooxidans d’un minerai pauvre des mines de Turamdih, en Inde. En utilisant la culture enrichie d’isolat bactérien contenant principalement Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans de l’eau de source de la mine, on a obtenu une biorécupération de 98 pour cent d’uranium à 20 pour cent de densité de la pulpe (poids/vol), avec un pH de 1.7 et une température de 35ºC, en utilisant des particules de <76 mm, en 40 jours. L’effet de la température sur la biolixiviation de l’uranium montrait une récupération plus élevée à 35ºC. La dissolution de l’uranium était facilitée par le fer(III), disponible dans la liqueur de lixiviat grâce à l’oxydation bactérienne de la pyrite et à la dissolution chimique de la magnétite présentes dans le minerai en conditions acides. Les ions Fe(III) engendrés biogéniquement augmentaient la dissolution de l’uranium du minerai d’uraninite. La biolixiviation de l’uranium semblait suivre un modèle cinétique à contrôle.
Excerpts taken from abstracts in CMQ, Vol. 50, No. 2. Subscribe—www.cmq-online.ca
February 2013 | 103
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The Lost Dutchman gold mine: legend or fact? by Donna Alice Patton
106 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 8, No. 1
thanks, Peralta struck a deal: if the two men would share the riches with his family, he would grant them temporary ownership of the Sombrero mine. Waltz and Wiser agreed. Following Peralta’s map, they located the mine easily. For months they mined ore, burying each day’s hoard in a cache near their base camp. Then tragedy struck. Having returned to camp after buying supplies, Waltz found Wiser’s body roasting over their campfire – Apache fashion. Waltz mined a considerable fortune from Sombrero, which came to be considered his own. People claimed Waltz knew the Superstitions like they were his own backyard. Known as one of the most desolate and forbidding areas on the North American continent, the land with few roads, no water and scant shelter from the smothering heat was easily traversed by Waltz. The greedy who tried to follow him were hopelessly lost among poisonous rattlesnakes and scorpions. In the summer of 1891, Waltz was trapped when his homestead flooded and he caught pneumonia. Near death, he crawled to the home of a friend, Julia Thomas, where he died before he could draw a map to the mine. Waltz left behind only feverish, mysterious mumblings about the mine’s location. After his death, the mine became known as the Lost Dutchman gold mine. Researchers believe the mine is located in a designated wilderness area known as Apache Junction, where mining is prohibited. CIM Photo: Eric Aldrich
F
or hundreds of years, tales of the Lost Dutchman gold mine have lured treasure seekers to the Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Although the whereabouts of the mine remain shrouded in mystery today, a wealth of history surrounds it. The Apache were among the first to discover gold in the Superstitions. When Jesuit priest Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived to explore the land early in the 1700s, he heard talk of a secret canyon with a vein of gold so large it could be shovelled out by the spade-full. Kino’s advice to the Apache was to keep the treasure hidden to avoid a gold rush that could disturb their way of life and infringe on territory they considered sacred. But the story spread, and when fortune Weaver’s Needle at sunrise seekers came, intent on plundering the canyon’s riches, the Apache became hostile. The mountains were home to the Apache Thunder God and had to be protected at any cost. The Apache preyed on trespassers and, as a result, few dared to antagonize them. Mexican cattle baron Don Miguel Peralta owned the Sombrero mine near Weaver’s Needle, a 1,000-foot-high column of rock located in the Superstitions. Every few years, he led an expedition to mine the gold ore. Peralta held great respect for Apache war parties and tried to avoid them, but around 1748, his party was seized. Estimates say over 400 of Peralta’s workers were massacred at a site now known as Massacre Canyon. Only two of Peralta’s descendants are believed to have survived and neither dared venture back into the mountains. In the late-1800s, one of Peralta’s sons, Don Miguel II, crossed paths with Jacob Waltz, a chance encounter that would provide the next chapter of the Lost Dutchman mine’s legend. Waltz, a German immigrant nicknamed the Dutchman, would become the first person to seriously exploit the Sombrero mine. He had been prospecting for an elusive mother lode for 20 years and, in 1868, started a homestead in the Salt River Valley, in the northern Superstitions. According to Curt Gentry, author of The Killer Mountains, Waltz and his prospecting partner, Jacob Wiser, saved Don Miguel II Peralta during a fight and tended to his wounds. In
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