CIM Magazine February 2011 by CIM-ICM Publications

aemopportunity

At Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (AEM), we understand the value of a precious resource. That is why weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re committed to being an employer of choice, and to providing our employees with the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. AEM offers challenging and rewarding careers to individuals with a passion for excellence and a drive to achieve. To learn more about employment opportunities with AEM, visit our website.

THE NEW GOLD STANDARD

agnico-eagle.com

C AT ® L A R G E M I N I N G T R U C K S

785 / 789 / 793 / 795 / 797

10,000 STRONG

One manufacturer. One support network. One leader in performance. In 1984, we built our first large mining truck, a Cat® 785. Twenty-six years later, that truck is still hard at work, and we are the market leader. Today, as we produce our 10,000th truck, a 793F, we continue to build reliable, durable and safe trucks that help our customers lower their cost per ton. Our experience is our strength—we’ve proven it 10,000 times. 10,000 Strong. See the video at cat.com/mining.

© 2011 Caterpillar | All Rights Reserved | CAT, CATERPILLAR, 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.

CONTENTS CIM MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2011 | FÉVRIER 2011

NEWS

10 12

13 14

Rio Tinto funds new mining frontier Mining giant commits $10 million to partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation by J. Leuschen Caterpillar extends its reach The acquisition of Bucyrus International by Caterpillar gives the equipment manufacturer greater range, but the effects on innovation remain unknown by E. Moore Meeting gives spark to group’s initiatives The first annual Women in Mining meeting encourages women to play a greater role in the mining industry by J. Borsato

International finance conference in China looks to the East The inaugural event brings out the financial community looking to connect Asian capital with Canadian projects by G. Griffiths

20 22

Thwarted PotashCorp takeover leaves trail of unanswered questions The government’s decision to halt the BHP takeover has raised questions about Canada’s openness to foreign investment by P. Brent Pioneers in Canada, and beyond The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inducts three new members at a sold-out gala event in Toronto by T. Loree

Chinese rare earth quota boosts Canadian juniors’ stock The global search for rare earth elements has ratcheted up interest in Canada’s North by V. Heffernan

UPFRONT 24

26 28

Cultural convergence The Canadian Opera Company’s tour of the Raglan Mine both introduced the Inuit communities to opera and the troupe to the North by M. Eisner Bigger not always better Technologies that integrate mine and mill can make marginal hard-rock mines profitable by P. Caulfield

Sharing knowledge in the digital realm The new online resource from the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation is designed for sharing expertise on mine design by A. Lopez-Pacheco

Collaboration the key to innovation and success Doug Magoon, chairman of AMIRA International, discusses the benefits of partnership when it comes to innovation by E. Moore

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM / PROGRAMME PRÉLIMINAIRE

4 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

NEW!

COMMODITY PROFILE 52

The world’s thirstiest metal Tantalum’s high melting point and resistance to rust has made it a very valuable metal in our daily lives by D. Zlotnikov

32 FEATURE INNOVATION 32

COLUMNS

Stepping up our game Innovation is vital for Canadian mining industry. How to manage the risks and rewards associated with it remains the crucial question. by E. Moore

Intensifier nos efforts L’innovation est essentielle pour l’industrie minière canadienne. L’enjeu clé demeure la gestion des risques et des bénéfices qui y sont associés.

FEATURED PROJECT PROJET EN VEDETTE 42 49

Fast-tracking to production Nearing production, Osisko’s gold mine operation in Malartic is the result of experienced leadership steering the project by P. Diekmeyer

55 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 118

MAC Economic Commentary by P. Stothart Supply Side by J. Baird Eye on Business by P. Swain and A. Benitah Standards by J. Whyte HR Outlook by M. Roberts and L. Forcellini Metals Monitor by the staff of Metals Economics Group Aboriginal Perspective by V. Heffernan Innovation by T. Hynes Safety by S. Dessureault Women in Mining by J. Borsato Mining Lore by C. Baldwin Voices from Industry by D. Morrison

Un processus accéléré; de la découverte à la faisabilité à la production

HISTORY

Grâce à un leadership d’expérience, la mine d’or Osisko à Malarctic sera bientôt en production.

110

113

The foundations of modern economic geology (Part 1) by R. J. Cathro Social problems in the mining industry – a historical essay (Part 1) by F. Habashi

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 8 116

Editor’s message President’s notes / Mot du président Professional directory

February 2011 | 5

editor’s letter A meeting of minds The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. ~ Carl Jung s we were in the throws of putting together this innovation-themed issue, I had the opportunity with other members of CIM’s national office to participate in a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) exercise, which indicates how one perceives the world and makes decisions. The MBTI identifies four pairs of contrasting preferences — extroverted/introverted, thinking/feeling, sensing/intuition, judging/perceiving — which can be combined to form 16 possible psychological types. Although my own assessment of the subject would far exceed what this space permits, the timing of the MBTI exercise was perfect. It revealed how differently a group of people who work together on a daily basis engage in common challenges, and it helped me to formulate a question that has been nagging at me for a while: How can one effectively create a culture of innovation in an organization — let alone an industry as vast as mining — when we are all wired so differently? MBTI proposes that no one type is better or preferred above another. In fact, it is in the collaborative blending of a variety of types that many strengths can be discovered and weaknesses overcome. The same holds true for the mining industry, where the character and culture of the laboratory may be vastly different from the mine site, but the engagement of each is essential to sparking innovation. In the feature article, “Stepping up our game,” writer Eavan Moore speaks to leaders from all facets of the mining industry about the traits the Canadian industry must champion and the risks it must manage to ensure its place among the global leaders in innovation. We also reached out to AMIRA International chairman Douglas Magoon for a thought-provoking Q&A in which he discusses the challenges and opportunities for innovation, as well as the role of research and collaboration. Meanwhile, our project profile, Osisko’s Canadian Malartic operation in Quebec’s Abitibi region, is a powerful argument for collaborative effort. By fostering close community ties, strong supplier relationships and pioneering technologies, this project has been realized despite the recent recession and unique constraints of operating so close to a residential area. On the subject of collaboration, we would like to hear what you think the Canadian mining industry could be doing to foster innovation. Of course, if you know of some projects that represent collaboration in action that might not be on our collective radar, we would love to hear about those, too. By sharing these with CIM Magazine readers, we can apply our strength to supporting the culture of innovation.

Angela Hamlyn, Editor-in-chief

Keep the mail coming! editor 6 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

@cim.org

Editor-in-chief Angela Hamlyn, editor@cim.org Section Editors News, Upfront and Features:

Ryan Bergen, rbergen@cim.org Steve Stecyk, sstecyk@cim.org Columns, CIM News, Histories and Technical Section:

Andrea Nichiporuk, anichiporuk@cim.org Technical Editor Joan Tomiuk, jtomiuk@cim.org Publisher CIM Contributors Jon Baird, Correy Baldwin, Armand Benitah, Louise Blais-Leroux, Jeff Borsato, Paul Brent, R.J. Cathro, Peter Caulfield, Sean Dessureault, Peter Diekmeyer, Marlene Eisner, Lindsay Forcellini, Genny Griffiths, Fathi Habashi, Virginia Heffernan, Tom Hynes, Janice Leuschen, Alexandra Lopez-Pacheco, Thom Loree, Eavan Moore, Douglas Morrison, Martha Roberts, Staff of the Metals Economics Group, Paul Stothart, Philip Swain, James Whyte, Dan Zlotnikov Published 8 times a year by CIM 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 ($150.00); Non-members (Canada), $168.00/yr (GST included; Quebec residents add $12.60 PST; NB, NF and NS residents add $20.80 HST); U.S. and other countries, US$180.00/yr; 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 month’s cover Sandia’s Gemini-Scout Rescue Robot Photo by Randy Montoya, courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories Layout and design by Clò Communications. Copyright©2011. 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

Industrial Components & Services

Kinecor Solutions

/ŶĚƵƐƚƌǇ ǆƉĞƌƟƐĞ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌĞĚ ^ŽůƵƟŽŶƐ Service & Repair Centres 24/7 Emergency Service Cost Savings Programs

With more than 50 branches coast-to-coast, Kinecor is the largest Canadian distributor of industrial components and value-added services. Kinecor supports the mining industry by providing turn-key ƐŽůƵƟŽŶƐ ƚŚĂƚ ƌĞƐƉŽŶĚ ƚŽ ǇŽƵƌ unique challenges.

Bearings, gaskets & unit blocks Bulk material handling Conveyor & belt components Cylinders & valves &ŝůƚƌĂƟŽŶ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ Gear motors & speed reducers Hydraulic hose, adapters Θ ĮƫŶŐƐ Hydraulic pumps & motors Lubricants, sealants & abrasives Process pumps

ϭ͘ϴϲϲ͘</E KZ ͻ ttt͘</E KZ͘ KD ĞĂƌŝŶŐƐ ĂŶĚ WŽǁĞƌ dƌĂŶƐŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ ͻ ,ǇĚƌĂƵůŝĐƐ ĂŶĚ WŶĞƵŵĂƟĐƐ WƌŽĐĞƐƐ ƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ͻ DĂƚĞƌŝĂů ,ĂŶĚůŝŶŐ ͻ ^ĂĨĞƚǇ ĂŶĚ WW ͻ Dŝůů ^ƵƉƉůŝĞƐ

president’s notes Innovation is a social activity Innovation, the theme of this issue, is a much overused word and misunderstood process. In a business context, it is the process of turning an idea or situation into a commercially successful proposition. It is not about numbers of patents or levels of university funding, although they are important inputs. The key is moving the concept through test work and trials to piloting to demonstration scale and finally to market acceptance. Unless it results in appropriately defined rewards, it is not innovation. Like exploration, the development process often needs substantial capital with no return over very long periods. On this basis, I suggest we need a flow-through share concept to spur innovation, similar to that which junior explorers have used to great advantage. As Elizabeth Hunt, president of the University of Calgary, recently wrote in the Globe and Mail, “We must ensure that our resource industries are not only innovative, but also seen by Canadians as drivers of innovation.”

A number of current initiatives deserve recognition. The commitment by Rio Tinto to establish a centre for underground mine construction at the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation in Sudbury is a serious endorsement of our global leading expertise. The formation of a consortium for oil sands tailings management research is another significant development. Seven oil sands majors that have historically shared minimal R&D or operational information have agreed to pool their knowledge and expertise to further accelerate the development of tailing reclamation techniques. Another interesting development is the commitment by CEMI and CIM to develop an online mine design handbook based on the open-access principles of a “wiki,” an innovative way to fill a gap in the rapidly developing field of mine design. Readers can learn more about all three of these initiatives in this issue. Innovation occurs in cultural environments that encourage it and expose practitioners to a wide range of ideas. From this perspective, I encourage all members to bring more colleagues from non-traditional disciplines, such as environmental, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering along with other social and financial fields, into CIM. They will inevitably infuse the conversation with different perspectives and spark further innovation.

Chris Twigge-Molecey CIM President

L’innovation représente une activité sociale L’innovation, soit le thème de ce numéro, est un terme utilisé à outrance et un processus souvent mal compris. Dans un contexte d’affaires, il s’agit du processus visant à transformer une idée ou une situation en une proposition productive et rentable. L’innovation ne se définit pas par une quantité de brevets ni par du financement universitaire, bien que ces éléments constituent des apports importants. Il s’agit en fait de faire avancer un concept par des essais et des études, puis de progresser jusqu’à l’étape des démonstrations et finalement, à l’acceptation du produit par le marché. Si un tel processus ne s’avère pas profitable et fructueux, il ne s’agit pas d’innovation. Comme les travaux d’exploration, le processus de développement nécessite souvent des capitaux importants sans qu’un rendement sur le capital investi ne soit enregistré pendant de très longues périodes. À la lumière de ces observations, je suggère qu’un concept de partage et de transfert serait nécessaire pour encourager l’innovation, comme un tel concept a été si favorable pour les explorateurs débutants. Comme l’a récemment écrit Élizabeth Hunt, présidente de l’Université de Calgary, dans le Globe and Mail : « Nous devons nous assurer que nos industries primaires sont non seulement novatrices, mais aussi perçues par les Canadiens comme des moteurs de l’innovation. » Plusieurs initiatives en œuvre à l’heure actuelle méritent d’être mentionnées. L’engagement pris par Rio Tinto visant à établir un centre pour la construction de mines souterraines au Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) à Sudbury représente un gage important d’appui de 8 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

notre expertise reconnue à l’échelle mondiale. La création d’un grand consortium pour la recherche en gestion des résidus du sable bitumineux constitue un autre événement important. Alors qu’elles avaient par le passé partagé un minimum de renseignements liés à la recherche et à l’exploitation, sept usines d’exploitation de sables bitumineux ont convenu de mettre en commun leurs connaissances et leur expertise pour accélérer davantage le développement des techniques de valorisation des résidus. Un autre fait intéressant demeure l’engagement par le CEMI et l’ICM à créer un guide accessible en ligne de conception des mines basé sur les principes de libre accès d’un « wiki », une façon novatrice de combler une lacune dans le domaine en évolution rapide de la conception minière. Les lecteurs peuvent en apprendre davantage sur ces trois initiatives dans ce numéro. L’innovation émerge dans des environnements culturels qui la favorisent et elle expose les praticiens à une vaste panoplie d’idées. Dans une telle optique, j’invite tous les membres à introduire à l’ICM plus de collègues œuvrant dans des disciplines « non traditionnelles », telles que l’environnement, la mécanique, l’électricité, le génie civil ainsi que dans des domaines sociaux et financiers. Ils alimenteront inévitablement la discussion avec différentes perspectives et par conséquent, des idées novatrices jailliront. Chris Twigge-Molecey Président de L’ICM

Vertimill® Grinding Mill

Fine Grinding Technology

Stirred Media Detritor

Reduced Power & Media Consumption

Solid recovery Stirred milling technology featuring VERTIMILL® & Stirred Media Detritor

You demand lower operating costs, but you can’t sacrifice your product recovery. Metso stirred mills deliver outstanding efficiency, finer grinding sizes and reduced power and media consumption so you get the results you need. With enhanced recovery, reduced operating costs and improved revenue, you can rely on Metso’s equipment and reputation. They’re both rock solid. metso.com – email: minerals.info@metso.com

news Rio Tinto funds new mining frontier Mining giant advances research into underground mine construction By Janice Leuschen

Photo courtesy of Shannon Katary

Rio Tinto will invest For Peter Kaiser, $10 million dollars over president and CEO of the next five years in CEMI, and his team, the Centre for Excellence the investment by Rio in Mining Innovation Tinto demonstrates to (CEMI) to establish the other mining compaRio Tinto Centre for nies that CEMI is a Underground Mine Conworld-class research struction, said Fred centre. CEMI receives Delabbio, general manongoing funding from ager of underground local mining compatechnology and innovanies Vale and Xstrata tion for Rio Tinto, in a Nickel, as well as the recent announcement at federal government for CEMI’s facility in Sudits research. It has bury, Ontario. grown from a startup John McGagh, head of organization in 2003 to innovation at Rio Tinto, a centre with a manaddressed the group via agement team with John McGagh, head of innovation, Rio Tinto (left) and Peter K. Kaiser, president & CEO at CEMI, video link from Brisbane, sign historic innovation agreement. Rio Tinto is investing $10 million over the next five years to over 150 years of Australia, about the need conduct research into underground mine construction. industry, academic and for new technologies. “It research experience. is quite likely that over the next 25 CEMI will be focusing on innovative “The partnership with Rio Tinto years, the minerals industry will be support systems for drill-and-blast and will attract highly qualified individuals required to place into the world sysmechanical excavations, developing to northern Ontario and help to retain tem the same amount of mineral prodbetter understanding and predicting expertise,” Kaiser said. “It will uct that we’ve placed into the system rock behaviour in difficult conditions, enhance active linkages between scisince the beginning of the Industrial rock/mass characterization, pillar ence, industry and business, so that we Revolution until about today,” he said. designs and excavation building. can capitalize from this initiative.” “It comes at a time when we’ve taken This centre is the fifth of Rio Tinto’s Kaiser emphasized that Rio Tinto is advantage of the best ore bodies. It’s long-term research centres. “Our stratnot making a donation but is investnot to say that we are running out of egy is to create a network of partners ing in CEMI, and the agreement will minerals; it’s to say that we have a new comprising the world’s best minds in be mutually beneficial. “It’s a substanchallenge.” their specific areas of discipline to tial amount of money that allows you The new challenge is to reach ore work with the Rio Tinto system and to make a significant difference,” he bodies that are deeper underground our extended networks and supply said. “This research program is not than current mining technology partners, to rapidly develop these about making incremental changes, allows, at a much faster pace and in an technologies and get them into our but about making significant changes, environmentally friendly manner. operations,” McGagh said. so the funding will be very focused.” Kaiser also noted that the program SATURDAY, MAY 21 will create opportunities for small- and medium-sized businesses to engage in innovative testing and technical developments. In addition, CEMI will be able to expand its network of innovaAlumni and friends of McGill Mining are invited to a celebration marking 140 years of mining engineering at McGill University. A Montreal-style “5 à 7” will feature delectable food and tors to serve local partners in their drink. Attendees will commemorate the strong history of McGill Mining, and learn about the problem solving by creating commerrevitalization strategy already underway. cialization and service opportunities Time: 17:00 | Location: McGill University | By invitation only. Please RSVP to norma.procyshyn@mcgill.ca around the world. CIM

Celebrating 140 years of mining at McGill

10 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Â&#x2039; &RS\ULJKW %RDUW /RQJ\HDU $OO ULJKWV UHVHUYHG

INNOVATION IS PRODUCTIVITY *OREDO 'ULOOLQJ 3URGXFWV

2011 NEW PRODUCTS MAXIMIZE PRODUCTIVITY

9LVLW 8V DW 3'$& &RQYHQWLRQ

%RDUW /RQJ\HDU LV SURXG WR DQQRXQFH WKH ODXQFK RI VHYHUDO QHZ SURGXFWV LQFOXGLQJ GLDPRQG FRULQJ ELWV WKH XQGHUJURXQG UROOHU ODWFK KHDG DVVHPEO\ SHUFXVVLYH URGV DQG ELWV VXUIDFH SHUFXVVLYH URGV DQG VDIHW\ WRROLQJ ZKLFK ZLOO DOO EH XQYHLOHG DW WKLV \HDUÒ&#x2039;V 3'$& WUDGH VKRZ LQ 7RURQWR

(QWHU 2QOLQH WR :LQ D 7ULS WR 3DUN &LW\ 8WDK

)RFXVHG RQ VDIHW\ DQG LQQRYDWLRQ %RDUW /RQJ\HDU GHOLYHUV SURGXFWV WKDW PD[LPL]H SURGXFWLYLW\

%RRWK 7RURQWR &DQDGD 0DUFK

ZZZ ERDUWORQJ\HDU FRP SGDF

ZZZ %RDUW/RQJ\HDU FRP Â&#x2021; $6; %/<

&RQWHVW RSHQ WR UHVLGHQWV RI FRQWLQHQWDO 8QLWHG 6WDWHV DQG WKH 'LVWULFW RI &ROXPELD DQG WR UHVLGHQWV RI WKH SURYLQFHV RI &DQDGD H[FOXGLQJ 4XHEHF 3UL]H DZDUGHG LQ WKH IRUP RI 86' WUDYHO YRXFKHU WR EH LVVXHG DQG UHGHHPHG E\ D WUDYHO DJHQF\ GHVLJQDWHG E\ FRQWHVW VSRQVRUV &KDQFHV RI ZLQQLQJ GHSHQG RQ WKH QXPEHU RI HQWULHV UHFHLYHG ,Q RUGHU WR ZLQ WKH VHOHFWHG SDUWLFLSDQW PXVW FRUUHFWO\ DQVZHU D VNLOO WHVWLQJ TXHVWLRQ &RQWHVW FORVHV 0DUFK 6HH ZHEVLWH IRU FRPSOHWH FRQWHVW UXOHV

news Caterpillar extends its reach Bucyrus purchase accelerates industry plans

With its US$7.6 billion purchase of Bucyrus International, Caterpillar Inc., the Peoria, Illinois-based manufacturer, has not only managed to increase its foothold in mining equipment but also its footprint, becoming the largest supplier of mining equipment in the world. According to Caterpillar, the company’s expansion into mining equipment is a response to its customers’ needs and the demand for commodities in emerging economies. “For several years, mining customers have been asking us to expand our range of products and services to better serve their increasingly complex requirements, said Doug Oberhelman, Caterpillar president and CEO, in a statement. “This announcement says to those customers, we heard you loud and clear. It is a strong statement about our belief in the bright future of the mining industry.” It is also a major step toward consolidation among mining equipment suppliers. Bucyrus acquired the mining division of Terex Corporation last February and offers a large product line, including hydraulic shovels, drills and draglines. This complements Caterpillar’s trucks, dozers, engines and components. Caterpillar’s own planned line of mining shovels, announced last summer, is now shelved as the company assesses the Bucyrus shovel program. Paul Johnson, general manager for technical services at Osisko Mining Corp., said he sees a direct benefit from the merger. “When Bucyrus purchased Terex, we were not sure if they would continue using the Cat dealer for servicing our shovels, and we were worried about that,” he explained. “Bucyrus has no suppliers in the northwest area of Québec. This announcement makes our life easier because now we know that Caterpillar 12 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Photo courtesy of Caterpillar Inc.

By Eavan Moore

Caterpillar's purchase of Bucyrus will not only increase its range of mining shovels but will expand its access to mining markets.

will support and supply all the parts for our shovels and such. So for us, it’s very good news.” But Caterpillar’s move could have downsides for mining operators, said Tim Skinner. A member of the Surface Mining Association for Research & Technology (SMART), he predicts that further consolidation among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will stifle technological innovation, integration and automation. “One can speculate that there will be two large manufacturers, with a few smaller ones,” said Skinner. “Innovation is most active in a diverse and open environment. We have started to see some very capable, advanced and well-architected solutions, especially from the ‘smaller’ OEMs, but these will likely be lost as the creative OEMs disappear with the consolidations.” “The large manufacturers will attempt to build their own highly protected proprietary systems, providing limited integration and interoperability with other technologies,” Skinner explained. “The mine operator will

not be allowed access for their own innovative operational developments. Automation technology will be less innovative, harder to work with, and more expensive.” Dan Bozung, corporate public affairs representative at Caterpillar, responded that Caterpillar has a “strong history of open architecture for mining information systems that extends nearly 20 years to its first mining technology product-VIMS (Vital Information Management System).” He pointed out that, at the time, the protocol itself was made available to third-party software providers. “Caterpillar’s mining information systems interact with all commercial mine planning systems available on the market through standard industry accepted interfaces,” Bozung said. “Caterpillar has a long history with drill and shovel OEMs to provide interfaces, he added. “This will continue as customers have a broad range of equipment from a large number of suppliers and seek integrated solutions.” CIM

news Meeting gives spark to group’s initiatives First annual gathering calls for a greater expanded role for women in mining

Metals prices are on the rise, optimism is returning to the industry and along with it, a growing sense that women will assume a greater role across the mining industry. That was the key message delivered by Women in Mining (WIM) president MaryAnn Mihychuk at the group’s first annual general meeting held last November in Toronto. Formed in 2009, WIM is a national not-for-profit organization focused on advancing the interests of women in the mining and exploration sectors. It supports grassroots initiatives Women in Mining board of directors and keynote speaker, from left to right: Jean Lucas, vice-president WIM Canada; MaryAnn that foster personal and pro- Mihychuk, president WIM Canada; Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, chairman of Pacific Rim Mining and keynote speaker; Mary Louise fessional development. The Hall, treasurer WIM Canada; and Catharine Shaw, secretary WIM Canada. organization represents a diverse cross-section of the mining conference. Serving as the group’s secgender. Stressing the importance of industry and counts both men and retary, Shaw said that representation having a well-written and realistic women among its membership. In her from across the country had been an business plan that anticipates the opening address, Mihychuk stressed cycles of the industry, she added: early goal for the organization. the value of the mineral and mining Attendees had the opportunity to “Raise more funds than you think you sector to the Canadian economy, and hear from the evening’s special guest, need in good times to help during the how concerns for the future drive their 1999 Mining Man [sic] of the Year lean times.” McLeod-Seltzer encouraged women efforts forward. award winner Catherine McLeodto take risks and explore the diverse Former Manitoba Minister of Seltzer (see Women in Mining profile range of opportunities in the mining Industry, Trade and Mines, Mihychuk on page 76). Her keynote speech, industry and acknowledged the work“Rock Hard Lessons: the exciting peroffered advice to women working life and work-family challenges that within the mining industry. “Women sonal story of one of Canada’s most women face. revered women in mining and her need to continue to be assertive and During the AGM, the newly elected path to success,” gave the audience an assume challenging roles,” she said. board of directors discussed future up-close and personal account from “They need to look for ways to proplans for 2011, including renewed one of the Canadian mining industry’s mote themselves and express the valfocus on research and development most successful women. ues they bring to the company to get and the establishment of five commitMcLeod-Seltzer spoke about failtheir skills recognized.” tees to support expansion and create ure as being not an obstacle but rather Tasked with improving diversity industry alliances. The upcoming a motivator for future endeavors, and within the industry, WIM Canada PDAC in 2011 will feature the WIM how her work helped to improve the encourages women to consider a career Canada annual networking reception investment climate of up-and-coming in the mining and mineral exploration and if the AGM attendance was any mining states such as Peru. The minindustry. Fellow board of director indication of the group’ s increased vising industry, she said, is a meritocracy member Catharine Shaw expressed her ibility, it should be another record and because of that, fundamental chalsatisfaction with the turnout of over turnout. CIM lenges remain the same, regardless of 54 guests, either in person or via teleFebruary 2011 | 13

Photo courtesy of Jeff Borsato

By Jeff Borsato

news International finance conference in China looks to the East Canadian financial heavyweights evaluate opportunities in Asia

As 2010 came to a close, some of Canada’s top mining finance experts gathered in Beijing for a look into the industry’s future at the inaugural International Mining Finance and Capital Markets Conference. Organized by CIM in cooperation with the China International Mining Group, the conference followed in the footsteps of successful Mining Finance days at CIM’s Conference & Exhibitions for the past two years, attracting Speakers and organizers from the conference, from left to right: David Mcintyre (Gowlings), Gill Peng (CIMG), approximately 100 atten- Andre Gauthier (Lara Exploration), Keith Spence (Global Mining Capital Corp. and conference chairman), Joe Hinzer (Watts, Griffis dees to the China World and McOuat), Pat Mohr (Scotia Capital Markets), Marc Parisien (Canadian Embassy in Beijing), Summit Wing Hotel on Luke Evans (Scott Wilson RPA), and Mike Samis (Ernst and Young). November 19. Keith Spence, president and part- world’s biggest consumer of metals the attention of the global mining ner of Global Mining Capital Corpo- and minerals and one of its foremost industry. ration and an organizer of the event, and fastest growing international “China is quickly becoming the called Beijing “a natural fit.” As the mining investors, China has grabbed dominant force in the global and Canadian mining and metals business,”co-organizer and CIM president Chris Twigge-Molecey said of the choice of country. “We need to build bridges to enhance the understanding and opportunities for our members.” In recent years, China has invested vast sums in mines around the world, with an emphasis on Australia, Africa and South America. Although Twigge-Molecey puts the country’s investment in Canada at over $5 billion per year, he expects a surge in coming years as China finally taps into the extensive mining opportunities in Canada. The inaugural conference featured a dozen speakers, discussing topics such as capital markets, mine financing, valuation, risk analysis and regulatory environment. The conference’s focus on mining finance and the 14 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Photo courtesy of Keith Spence and Gill Peng

By Genny Griffiths

news

popularity of topics like “Methods of Valuation for the Development Stage of Mining Projects — Use of Real Options” reflects China’s interest in a part of the mining process that Spence says Canada is “very, very good at.” He sees the development of mining finance in China, with the help of Canadian expertise, as an important collaboration between the two countries in coming years. The conference was divided into four sessions. The early morning session dealt with an overview of mining capital markets with presentations from Egizio Bianchini, managing director and head of mining, BMO Capital Markets, and Patricia Mohr, vice-president and commodities strategist at Scotia Capital. The midmorning session delved into the world of mining finance. The keynote address was given by Christine Lie,

vice-president, issuer marketing department of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The afternoon session was devoted to mining valuation methods and risk analysis. Joe Hinzer, president of geological consulting firm Watts, Griffis and McOuat and another conference organizer, called the event “an outstanding success” and said it would lay the groundwork for similar events in emerging markets around the world. Although the conference was a success, it very nearly did not happen at all. It was “a big rush lining up sponsors to ensure financial viability,” said Twigge-Molecey. Toronto-based law firm Gowlings “got the ball rolling and committed fairly early,” said Spence; by show time, the conference had an impressive lineup of sponsors including Postro Wealth,

CIBC, Silvercorp Metals and Ausenco. “It was worth it,” said Postro Wealth president Patrick Postrehovsky. “The caliber of speakers at the event was first class and the size provided productive sharing of knowledge and lots of networking opportunities.” “Canada and China are both world leaders in the mining industry,” added David McIntyre, a partner at Gowlings who spoke at the conference. “It is great that we are now coming together at events like this.” The organizers intend to build on the success of the first conference to make it an annual event. The opportunity is certainly there, said TwiggeMolecey. “The Chinese will be a large part of the future of mining and metallurgy, globally, over the next decade or two.” CIM

February 2011 | 15

news Thwarted PotashCorp takeover leaves trail of unanswered questions Federal government decision reveals lack of legislative direction

Photo courtesy of PotashCorp

By Paul Brent

The Canadian government's rejection of BHP Billiton’s takeover bid has raised questions among investors and analysts about implications of investing in “strategic resources” like those extracted at PotashCorp's Rocanville Mine.

While the Canadian government’s November decision to block BHP Billiton’s bid for PotashCorp could cast a chill on foreign acquisitions in the short term, the unique set of circumstances around the $39 billion hostile play makes it unlikely to be repeated. “This decision may not have a huge amount of precedential value because of some significant unique factors,” said Donald Greenfield, a lawyer with Calgary’s Bennett Jones, who held a conference on the potential fallout of Ottawa’s decision to declare the BHP bid as not of “net benefit” to the country under the Canada Investment Act. What made the Potash case all but unique, Greenfield argued, was the size of the potential deal, the great importance of the company to Saskatchewan, its status as a former government-owned entity and current “Canadian champion,” its major impact to federal and provincial tax coffers, a minority government in Ottawa and a less-than-deft approach by BHP during the bid process. “This decision deviates from past Investment Canada decisions,” added Greenfield. “There have been several 16 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

significant foreign takeovers in the last few years … especially in the mining sector.” The law firm cites successful foreign takeovers of mining giants Alcan, Inco and Falconbridge, among others, as proof that the country is still open to big M&A deals. Chris Damas, a Barrie, Ontariobased investment analyst whose firm BCMI Research has long concentrated on the mining industry, said Ottawa was forced to act because it does not have legislation on its books to handle deals such as the one for PotashCorp. “I think the Minister [of Industry] had to step in because the CBCA (Canadian Business Corporations Act) is relatively weak in its provisions regarding takeovers relative to some other jurisdictions,” he explained, adding that Ottawa is currently carrying out a review of foreign investment guidelines in the wake of PotashCorp. “To me, this was a stopgap measure.” Damas said that Canadian companies suffer under the CBCA compared with, for example, Delaware-registered companies where “the directors have wide latitude to evaluate a bid against what they deem in their sole opinion

to be the best interests of the corporation” under the so-called “just say no” defense. The CBCA does not grant such latitude to federal companies in Canada, he noted. “In fact, it was the federal government that just said ‘no.’” Damas believes that uncertainty from the PotashCorp decision puts a “pall” on foreign investment in Canada. “I assume now that if Cameco was the object of anyone’s desire or someone like Teck in coal or rare earths, there is certainly going to be more due diligence done before someone makes a foray into Canada,” he said. “So yes, I was upset about the decision personally. I believe that PotashCorp shareholders could have vetted the offer, had it approved, and the markets would have uncovered what the true value of the corporation is.” Ronald Mayers, head of alternative strategies at Laurentian Bank Securities, said, in the end, politics trumped all other considerations. “It was a terrible decision, and motivated purely by political concerns,” he argued. “Witness all the skating [Industry] Minister Clement has had to engage in since. But at the end of the day, it will

FLSmidth Mills at Goldcorp’s Peñasquito mine, Mexico. Photo courtesy of Goldcorp.

One Source

many solutions

FLSmidth provides innovative solutions to make your plant operating systems function at peak efficiency. As a One Source supplierr,, FLSmidth integrates testing, detailed design engineering, global procurement, expert process control, and localized services to ensure customized total packages. With over a century of minerals processing expertise, FLSmidth has created an unmatched portfolio of accomplishments by combining the proven reliability and quality of the industry’s leading brands: Krebs, WEMCO, Dorrr-Oliver -Oliverr, EIMCO, Pneumapress, Möller, V Vecor ecorr, ABON, RAHC RAHCO, CO, CEntryy,, Excel, Fuller-T - raylorr, Conveyor Engineering, ng, KOCH, MVT T,, Summit V Valley alley Engineering and Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories. FLSmidth delivers tailored solutions for streamlined project schedules, maximized performance and increased recoveries! For more information, visit us at: www www.flsmidth.com .flsmidth.com

news not [stop foreign takeovers]. There is too much money to be made. Plenty of other countries have far more restrictive regimes.” Outside Canada, PotashCorp is being looked at as more of an aberration than a sign that developed countries are becoming more intrusive with regards to foreign acquisitions.

“I do think that one-off incidents like this will persist,” said Divya Reddy, an energy and natural resources analyst with Washington-based Eurasia Group, “even in countries that are very open to foreign investment, like Canada, when the issue of a national champion in a given sector is at stake. Under this definition, I would

include not just traditional stateowned national champions but also private companies that dominate an industry in a given country. Populist sentiment will be stronger around such companies. “But I don’t think it necessarily represents a trend toward such intervention in M&A more broadly,” she concluded. CIM

MOVING ON UP Ronald Nielsen has been appointed as general manager, global sustainability, at Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Nielsen will lead the company’s sustainability program with responsibilities for creating a long-term vision to drive transformational change and performance initiatives across the global organization. Nielsen, who has over 20 years of experience as an environmental and sustainability professional in business, government and civil sectors, is the founder and senior director for the International Centre for Business Innovation and Sustainability in Montreal, Quebec, where he leads a learning partnership that is developing leading practices to embed sustainability at the core of organizations. He also holds an academic position as executive-in-residence at Dalhousie University, Faculty of Management in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and consultancy positions. TVI Pacific Inc. has appointed Patrick B. Hanna as its new chief financial officer. A certified management accountant with more than 28 years of experience in both the mining and oil and gas sectors, Hanna, was most recently director of financial excellence for Kazakhmys Copper Corporation, the 10th largest copper producer worldwide. Prior to that, he represented Glencore International as vice-president for project finance for its lead and zinc facility in Kazzinc, Kazakhstan, and High River Gold in its gold mining operation in Russia.

18 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

1SPDFTTJOHH 1MBOU GPS (PME

HJE:G8=6G<:9 G:IJGCH 8FMDPNF UP 1ZUIPO T -FBO .JOJOH DPODFQUT BOE IJHIFS PQFSBUJOH NBSHJOT 'FXFS QSPDFTT TUFQT MFTT TUPDL QJMFT SFEVDFE IBOEMJOH IJHI VQGSPOU XBTUF SFKFDUJPO BOE MPX QPXFS VTBHF BMM SFTVMU JO HSFBUFS QSPmUBCJMJUZ

WWW GEKKOS COM

688:A:G6I:9 86H= ;ADL 5IF LFZ UP BDDFMFSBUFE DBTI nPX JT GBTU FOWJSPONFOUBM QFSNJUUJOH BOE SFEVDFE JOGSBTUSVDUVSF JOWFTUNFOU .PEVMBS EFTJHO GBTU FRVJQNFOU CVJME BOE FBTF PG JOTUBMMBUJPO BMM TVQQPSU B RVJDL QBUIXBZ UP DBTI nPX BOE JOWFTUNFOU SFUVSOT

:CK>GDCB:CI6A 7:C:;>IH 5IF DPODFQU PG QSF DPODFOUSBUJPO VTJOH HSBWJUZ BOE nPUBUJPO NJOJNJTFT PS FMJNJOBUFT UIF VTF PG DIFNJDBMT PO TJUF BOE SFTJEFOU JO UBJMJOH GBDJMJUJFT $IFDL PVU UIF MPX QPXFS DPOTVNQUJPO QFS UPOOF USFBUFE BOE ZPV MM DPNQMFUF UIF QJDUVSF PG BO FOWJSPONFOUBMMZ JNQSPWFE QSPDFTTJOH TUSBUFHZ

Ì>VÌÊ-> `ÞÊ À>ÞÊ³È£ÊÎÊxÎÎ xnx Ê ÀÊ Û Ã ÌÊÌ iÊ i ÊÌi> Ê>ÌÊ* Ê Ì Ê{ä{

news Pioneers in Canada, and beyond Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inducts three new members

Photo courtesy of Keith Houghton Photography Ltd.

By Thom Loree carats of diamonds and is currently valued at $3 billion. Among the many fine gems produced was a pink 54-carat rough diamond presented to Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day in 1947. Bill Barclay represented the Williamson family and said the man “always remained attached to his Canadian roots” and “would have been overjoyed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

Transformative Canadian

Next, the Hall of Fame saluted Bert Wasmund (b. 1939), who for more than 40 years has been a leader in metallurgical plant engineering and design, as well as a driving force in the success of consulting firm Hatch. His contributions to metallurgical excellence in A sold-out crowd of mining’s best and brightest came to salute the hard work and dedication of this year’s Canada and abroad have boosted productivHall of Fame inductees. ity, reduced energy consumption and ensured With strong commodity prices and keen investor interest higher environmental standards. in the resource sector, the push is on to get projects underWasmund joined Hatch in 1966 and proceeded to amass way around the world, but despite their demanding sched- an influential group of process engineers in the global metalules, the industry’s major players gathered in Toronto to hon- lurgical industry. Among the operations that have benefitted our the latest inductees into the Canadian Mining Hall of from Wasmund’s expertise are smelters in Canada, the Fame. Dominican Republic and South Africa. John Williamson, Bert Wasmund and Mike Muzylowski In the 1970s, Wasmund oversaw sulphur dioxide abatejoin the 146 other Canadian mining legends who have been ment programs in the Sudbury nickel belt for nickel producinducted since 1989. All three were honoured at the Hall of ers Falconbridge and Inco. He and the Hatch team also Fame’s 23rd annual dinner on January 13, 2011 for their far- replaced blast furnaces with new technology that improved reaching influence, having staked out new frontiers in air quality and minimized acid rain. That same decade, in the Canada and abroad. Dominican Republic, Wasmund invented technology for Pierre Lassonde, chairman of Franco-Nevada took his cooling the walls of smelting furnaces. This innovation place as master of ceremonies before a record crowd of 820 became, in Wasmund’s words, “the cornerstone of Hatch’s international custom-design furnace business.” industry members at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel. While at Hatch, he also contributed to major efficiencies in platinum smelting at Impala Platinum in South Africa. WasDiamond king mund remains an executive director at the consulting firm. Williamson (1907-1958), the evenings’ first inductee, discovered, built and operated the Williamson diamond mine in Tanganyika (now Tanzania). A native of Quebec, he obtained Manitoba’s mine finder a PhD in geology from McGill University in 1933, then The dinner ended with the induction of geologist, minemoved to East Africa and set his sights on what has since finder and financier Mike Muzylowski (b. 1934), who conbecome a world-famous diamond producer. (His initial tributed to the discovery and development of 16 deposits that prospecting was carried out under the direction of Tan- eventually became mines. All but three of these are in Maniganyika Gold and Diamonds Ltd., although later Williamson toba, where Muzylowski grew up; the others are in Nevada formed his own private company.) and the Northwest Territories. In 1940, he found the kimberlite pipe that would become Muzylowski told the audience that as soon as he discovthe first significant diamond mine outside of South Africa. ered geology, he was “captivated and enthralled.” He got his Between 1941 and 2008, it cranked out more than 20 million professional start with Hudson Bay Exploration & 20 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Development Co. in 1955 and eventually found himself managing the drill programs that led to the discovery of the Anderson Lake and Centennial mines. The Swedish parent of Granges Exploration Aktiebolag, Grängesberg Aktiebolaget, hired Muzylowski in 1970 to oversee its North American programs. His efforts contributed to the discovery of the Trout Lake Mine, which continues to crank out copper and zinc after some 28 years. In 1984, fellow financier Doug McRae arranged to buy Granges from its Swedish parent, with Muzylowski serving as president and CEO. The partners proceeded to transform Granges into a substantial and profitable producer. (The company was later acquired by Australian mining giant MIM.) In addition to Trout Lake, Granges explored and developed the Puffy Lake and Tartan Lake gold-silver mines and spun off a subsidiary, Hycroft Resources & Development. It was Hycroft that developed the Crofoot and Lewis gold mines in Nevada, both of which have been sizable moneymakers. Muzylowski and McRae managed to raise some $400 million for Granges and Hycroft in the 1980s, paving the way for other Canadian companies to raise money in foreign jurisdictions.

A moment of recognition Corporate sponsors of the 2011 induction dinner included Teck Resources Limited (AV and staging sponsor), Sentry Investments (reception), SNCLavalin (dinner wine), IBK Capital Corp. (presentations), Consolidated Thompson (head table) and Hatch (VP/inductee reception). Representing CIM on the Hall of Fame’s board of directors are CIM executive director Jean Vavrek, as well as CIM past presidents Patricia Dillon (20002001), director, industry relations and employee communications, Teck Resources; and Donald J. Worth (1996-1997), retired mining specialist and senior executive of CIBC. Douglas Horswill, senior vice-president sustainability for Teck Resources, told CIM Magazine that the company is honoured to support the Hall of Fame. “Canada’s shared history in mining is important and the achievements of the many great Canadians who are members of this esteemed organization are something to be proud of,” he said. Kevin MacLean, vice-president and senior portfolio manager for Sentry Investments, noted that his firm as been an enduring sponsor for the event. “This industry is at the core of our investment management business,” he said. “It is highly appropriate to recognize many of the key contributors to the global reputation Canada has achieved as an international leader in mining.” The head table was nothing if not illustrious and included The Honourable Brian Tobin, former premier of Newfoundland and currently executive chairman and acting president and CEO of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines. Joining him were: Clinton Nauman, president and CEO, Alexco Resource Corp.; Feroz Ashraf, executive vice-president, Office of the President, SNCLavalin; Michael Kenyon, director and executive chairman, Detour Gold Corp.; Julie Lassonde-Gray, executive chairman and director, Shear Minerals; William Pugliese, chairman and director, IAMGOLD Corporation; Ian Telfer, chairman, Goldcorp; Kevin MacLean, vice-president and senior portfolio manager, Sentry Investments; Janet Carding, director and CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum; Howard Stockford, chairman of the board of directors of the Hall of Fame; Don Lindsay, president and CEO, Teck Resources Limited; Aaron Regent, president and CEO, Barrick Gold Corporation; Ingrid Hibbard, president and CEO, Pelangio Exploration; Sean Boyd, vice-chairman and CEO, Agnico-Eagle Mines; Tye Burt, president and CEO, Kinross Gold Corporation; Pamela Strand, president and CEO, Shear Minerals; Michael White, president, IBK Capital Corp.; and Russell Hallbauer, president and CEO, Taseko Mines. (Hallbauer’s father, Robert, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.) CIM February 2011 | 21

news Chinese rare earth quota boosts Canadian juniors’ stock Canada holds majority of rare earth projects By Virginia Heffernan

Photo courtesy of Avalon Rare Metals Inc.

going to be an active The stock market year.” frenzy that followed the While deposits such as latest cut in China’s rare Mountain Pass and the earth elements (REE) Mount Weld project in quotas underscored a Australia are likely to satgrowing investor awareisfy much of world ness of the tiny sector. demand for light rare China produces about 95 earths once they reach per cent of REEs used in full production, deposits high-tech and clean enriched in the more energy applications, so valuable heavy rare earths the announcement that — with the exception of export quotas would be the Great Western Minercut 11 per cent to 13,105 als Steenkampskraal tonnes for the first half of development project in 2011, after a 40 per cent South Africa — tend to be cut for the whole of last concentrated in Canada, year, reminded the marfor example, Avalon’s ket that supply of the Nechalacho, Quest Rare metals is vulnerable and Chris Pedersen, senior geologist, Avalon Rare Metals, examines the rare earth content of the Minerals’ Strange Lake alternative sources are core samples at the company's Thor Lake site. project in Labrador and necessary. Matamec Explorations’ Kipawa project The Chinese government is also Molycorp has one the largest and richreported to be cracking down on polluest rare earth deposits in the world at in Quebec. Hatch tracks an inventory of about tion at some of their mines and sugits operation in Mountain Pass, Califorgesting that some could be forced to nia, and its stock has quadrupled since 275 rare earth projects worldwide and says about 60 per cent of them are in close. In January, the Chinese land and the IPO. Canada. “Canada is definitely the resource ministry nationalized 11 REE “Molycorp’s IPO brought new mines in the eastern province of awareness of the rare earths sector as a unsung hero of trying to solve this Jiangxi. whole,” said Gareth Hatch, founding problem longer term and weaning off “There has been enough publicity principal of Technology Metals dependence on China,” said Hatch. Chinese rare earths quotas have that people now appreciate how imporResearch, who points out that two been on the decline for the past five tant rare earths are to so many new Canadian juniors, Avalon and Rare Eleyears as the country tries to hold onto ment Resources, have also recently technologies, how scarce they are, and enough supply to fuel their own listed on the small-cap index NYSE how significant reductions in supply industrial needs. Bubar expects future could be,” said Donald Bubar, CEO Amex. “The are more institutional quotas could be affected by political investors looking at this space and as and president of Avalon Rare Metals. motivations after China temporarily Canadian companies gain exposure on Shares of Avalon, which is advancblocked exports of rare earths to Japan the American exchanges, it puts a biging the 100 per cent-owned Nechalalast fall in retaliation for the Japanese ger spotlight on the junior rare earth cho deposit in the Northwest Territoarrest of a Chinese boat captain in discommunity as a whole.” ries, jumped about 40 per cent on the puted waters. “The expanded market awareness is TSX when the H1 2011 quota was “China has now shown that they good news for junior mining compaannounced. China routinely declares are not shy about using their control nies exploring for and developing rare its rare earth quotas every six months of the rare earths market as a political earth deposits,” said Bubar. “The marbut the sector has gained a higher proweapon,” explained Bubar. “This has ket will remain excited because there file since the last statement at mid-year increased Japan’s interest in seeing will be more news about shortages and 2010 because of Molycorp Mineral’s new sources of supply come into the updates on Chinese export policy. That initial public offering (IPO) and listing CIM market.” will keep the spotlight on the space. It’ s on the NYSE in July. Colorado-based 22 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

SAVING MINES MILLIONS IN ENERGY COSTS

Mines of the future will be going deeper, resulting in higher costs for infrastructure, ventilation and energy. How your mine addresses these future challenges will separate your company from the rest of the mining industry. BESTECH, one of Canada’s leading firms specializing in engineering, automation, software d e ve lo p m ent and energy management has created NRG1-ECO. NRG1ECO (Energy Consumption Optimization) is a mine-wide energy management system that can save mines millions of dollars in energy costs per year. NRG1-ECO can be applied to automated equipment and processes such as compressors, pumps and ventilation to significantly reduce energy consumption.

NRG1-ECO Web Based HMI The Web Based HMI allows remote access to standard process control HMI. Shown here is a VFD Fan under cascading closed loop PID control.

NRG1-ECO was developed with an open architecture so that it will work with technology already in use at any mine. Integration is at the core of NRG1-ECO and its ability to incorporate with new or existing mine technology offers mines, old or new, the opportunity to realize significant energy savings. The NRG1-ECO system can be customized to to reflect each mine’s needs and protocols in order to leverage the highest ROI for each mine site.

This year, NRG1-ECO was installed at Vale’s Coleman Mine and Xstrata Nickel’s Fraser Mine, both in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. “We worked together with BESTECH on what was needed in the industry and they’ve completed the development of NRG1-ECO’s Ventilation-On-Demand management tool for us,” says Cheryl Allen, Chief Engineer - Ventilation, Vale Mines Mill Technical Services, Canadian Operation. A mine ventilation system usually operates at peak capacity 100 per cent of the time. NRG1ECO’s VOD (Ventilation-On-Demand) module enables the mine to instantly control the ventilation system’s air flow to when and where it is needed. This allows a mine to reduce its ventilation costs by as much as 30 per cent, which represents significant savings given that ventilation costs make up almost 50 per cent of a mine’s energy costs. BESTECH’s NRG1-ECO technology is attracting world-wide attention from other mining giants, including North America’s fastest growing senior gold producer, Goldcorp Inc. “We looked at two different systems. It seemed BESTECH was offering a complete package from ground up. We’re hoping to go ahead with NRG1-ECO in a twostage approach. First, have the system up and running on two levels in the Hoyle Pond Mine in Timmins and if that proves to be satisfactory, then we will expand it to the rest of the mine,” says Imola Götz, Chief Engineer, Hoyle Pond Mine, Goldcorp.” Assistance with Energy-Efficiency Grants and Rebate applications is available to mines for both the initial NRG1-ECO site assessment and commissioning to help leverage increased profitability and savings. Marc Boudreau (BESTECH President & CEO), Sarah Paajanen (BESTECH Project Manager) and Cheryl Allen (Vale Chief Ventilation Engineer/Project Manager). Photo Provided by Vale.

www.bestech.com

Guy Faubert (BESTECH Electrician) and Paul Huffels (BESTECH Safety Supervisor) installing a rack-mounted IZC on the 4550 level at Vale’s Coleman Mine. The Intelligent Zone ControllerTM (IZC) is the brains of the underground network and one of the key components of the NRG1-ECO system.

“We worked together with BESTECH on what was needed in the industry and they’ve completed the development of NRG1-ECO’s Ventilation-On-Demand management tool for us.” Cheryl Allen, Chief Engineer - Ventilation, Vale Mines Mill Technical Services, Canadian Operation. To find out more information on NRG1-ECO, go to www.bestech.com/NRG1-ECO. Follow BESTECH on

upfront S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y by M a r l e n e E i s n e r

Cultural convergence Opera company and northern mining communities share more than music

Photo courtesy of Michael Cooper

For two months, Raglan Mine HR supervisor Yannick St. Germain and HR coordinator Amélie Trépanier worked closely with Katherine Semcesen, senior manager of education and outreach at COC, to iron out all the details. While Semcesen put into place the educational material that complemented the performances, St. Germain and Trépanier prepared for the group’s arrival — from air transportation and housing accommodations to outfitting the artists with proper outdoor Arctic attire. The itinerary included a recital of operatic arias for mine employees as well as a performance of Cinderella for the children of elementary schools in two villages that comprise the 14 Inuit communities that make up Nunavik (pop. Michael Barrett as the prince in the Xstrata Ensemble Studio School Tour production of Cinderella at 10,500), Salluit (pop. 1,241) and KangiqPigiurvik School in Salluit, Québec sujuaq (pop. 605). “When we arrived at Donaldson Airxcitement and awe rippled through northern Quebec port, I think our reaction was a bit of sheer disbelief that we mining communities last November when the Cana- flew as far as we did,” says Semcesen. “We had looked at dian Opera Company (COC) troupe performed spe- maps, but you really don’t understand it until you get off the cially selected arias and a children’s version of Cin- plane. There are no roads lined with lights. You just see snow derella. For the last four years, Xstrata Nickel has sponsored and darkness. It was really interesting when we walked into the COC’s ensemble studio school tour, which has per- the mine complex coming from the perspective from an arts formed for approximately 16,000 children a year across world; you got a sense of family and community.” Ontario introducing them to the enchanted world of opera. This year, however, Xstrata asked COC to bring its tour to Weather takes the spotlight its Raglan Mine and the Inuit communities in the Nunavik When it comes to living and working in the Arctic, it is region of northern Quebec. best to prepare for the unexpected. In spite of the best laid “It was a very unique opportunity that required immense plans, Mother Nature often has the upper hand. efforts by our team at the Raglan Mine,” says Peter Fuchs, “The weather is a big factor up north, so even if you plan director of corporate affairs at Xstrata Nickel. “As a sponsor for one type of scenario, it might change at any time,” of the Ensemble Studio School Tour, it was important that explains St. Germain. “The first show for the children was we extend the tour north to the communities in which we scheduled for November 16. We managed to fit everything live and work. We strive to bring more than just jobs to the into the tiny plane, but I received a call 20 minutes after North; we want to create sustainable values, which can come takeoff to tell me it was snowing. They didn’t have visibility in many different forms, including art, culture and educa- and couldn’t land the plane, so they had to come back.” tion.” Unfazed, St. Germain moved the performance time for the mine employees from the evening of the 17th to the 16th, Performance logistics and was able find alternative air transportation for the Successfully executing such an event takes careful plan- troupe the next day. ning, good communication and attention to detail. The goal At Salluit and Kangiqsujuaq, the children were treated to was to bring the 10-member ensemble (five singers, one an abridged version of the Cinderella production. Initially, music director/pianist, one stage manager, two COC staff, the troupe was to perform at the schools on two separate one photographer and a host of props) from Toronto up to days, but the poor weather resulted in the shows having to the mine, located 1,880 kilometres north of Montreal. be rescheduled on the same day.

24 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

upfront S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

A “priceless” exchange The first performance of Cinderella was held in the Pigiurvik school gym in Salluit in front of an audience of about 200 children. Semcesen had provided the school principal with a study guide, which was translated into Inuktitut to give the children a sense of what the story was about. However, based on the students’ enthusiastic response to the show, language did not seem to be a barrier. The performance was followed by a short question-andanswer period. “In a brief hour, we at least opened up the door,” says Semcesen. “We left them with resources — CDs, books and DVDs on opera — so that if anyone was curious, they would still have the connection musically.” After a quick lunch, the cast and crew flew to Kangiqsujuaq to set up in Arsaniq School. By 2:30 p.m., the performance for approximately 200 students and community members was underway. Following the show, the troupe was treated to tea and bannock, a type of flat bread, while learning about some of the local traditions and history. “At this school, a meeting with two elders was organized,” says Semcesen. “One elder shared two traditional Inuit stories with us, which was a special moment, and the other showed us a hand-string game.” “It was too brief for us,” Semcesen adds, “but it was an opportunity to meet with people living in the community

who shared their traditional methods of games, storytelling and history with us. In that one day we were really able to meet the goals of this trip, to perform for the communities and give them the opportunity to experience an art form they would not otherwise be exposed to.” Mike Welch, vice-president of operations at the Xstrata Nickel Raglan Mine was proud of how things turned out despite the uncooperative weather. “It was a pleasure to be able to host COC and introduce them to the people of Nunavik and Inuit culture,” says Welch. “We were plagued with some last minute weather and logistical challenges but in typical Raglan operations fashion, we were able to overcome those challenges and conclude with an extremely successful tour.” From the children to the community elders to teachers and mine workers, everyone enjoyed learning about and hearing opera. “We would absolutely have them back,” says St. Germain. “Even though organizing event was somewhat complicated, just to see the reaction of the kids was priceless. As for the mine workers, they were very happy, too. When I was walking in the mine, people were stopping me to say that it was so interesting and they would go see opera again. It was a great success.” CIM

FOR 31 YEARS WE HAVE SERVED THE MINING AND CIVIL INDUSTRY TO EXTRACT VALUE FROM YOUR RESOURCES IN A SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER.

DMC MINING SERVICES IS YOUR RESOURCE FOR…

Engineering design and feasibility studies Property development through equity investment, partnerships or joint ventures Contract mining Shaft sinking Raise boring and raise excavation Mine construction and infrastructure Mine development and rehabilitation Head frames and hoisting plants Ground freezing and grouting programs

John Marrington 9555 Yonge Street, Suite 200, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4C 9M5 Direct: 416-903-2084; Email: jmarrington@dmcmining.com

www.dmcmining.com

Dan Saint Don 2200 South 4000 West, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 84120 Direct: 801-232-4733; Email: dsaintdon@dmcmining.com

Visit us at Booth # 604, PDAC Toronto, March 6 – 9, 2011 February 2011 | 25

upfront PROCESSING by Peter Caulfield

Bigger not always better

Photo credit: Andrew Csinger, MineSense Technologies

Technologies that integrate mine and mill can make marginal hard-rock mines profitable

The sensor system can be used in shovels, belts and sorters to detect ore from waste before sending it to the mill.

n the 1980s, Toyota revolutionized its automobile production by adopting the principle of lean manufacturing. The practice assumes that all expenditure of resources should be focused on creating value for the end customer. Anything else is considered wasteful and should be eliminated. In its simplest terms, lean manufacturing means getting more done with less. As a graduate student in mining engineering at the University of British Columbia eight years ago, Andrew Bamber adapted this idea and developed the concept of “lean mining.” The objective is to help reduce waste, excess plant capacity and re-work, which is caused by misallocating ore and waste. “Large-scale mining only dilutes inefficiencies by spreading them out over a large operation,” explains Bamber, CEO of MineSense Technologies Ltd. in Vancouver. “Lean mining, on the other hand, removes inefficiencies. The end results are smaller, more technologically intensive and productive mines, faster permitting, smaller footprint and higher returns.”

More efficient processing The MineSense Solution, created by Bamber’s firm, is a practical outcome of the lean mining idea. Using sensors integrated into conventional mining process equipment (shovels, belts, sorters, etc.), it allows miners to detect and separate ore from waste before sending it to the mill. The sensor system can also recover valuable material that was previously cast aside as waste and send it to the mill for processing. “The reduction in waste rock benefits not only the 26 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

mine, but also the mill and the smelter,” Bamber says. “This is a valuable difference. With these cost savings, mines that are marginally profitable or unprofitable using traditional methods can become profitable.” “Sensing can also be used to quantitatively evaluate ore chemistry in the run-of-mine product and transmit that data to the mill,” he explains. “Such early knowledge of ore chemistry can be used to proactively adjust process parameters in downstream operations such as grinding, leaching and flotation, and thereby improve metal recoveries by one to two per cent.” The MineSense Solution is a Canadian-made example of mine-mill integration. The term refers to methods of improving the interface between the mining operation and the surface mill. “Mine-mill integration can have a direct impact on the profitability of a mine of between 10 and 30 per cent,” says Professor Bern Klein, head of the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at the University of British Columbia. According to Bamber, there are a number of preconcentration technologies available, including sorting and separation by size and sorting by electromagnetic, optical, X-ray and nuclear means. By comparison, he says MineSense is a non-conventional preconcentration method. “What makes it different is the combination of ore sensing and the separation of ore from waste during and within the mining and material handling process.”

Less is more The core of the MineSense technology is a proprietary signal generation and analysis system called high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometry (HFEMS). It can detect the type and quantity of mineralization in the ore. HFEMS helps miners decide whether to process, upgrade or dispose of it. In laboratory and field testing for Xstrata and Vale, the prototype MineSense HFEMS sensor system demonstrated detection levels in ore particles as small as 15 mm of 0.1% nickel and 0.2% copper. MineSense has several customers in the nickel mining industry, both major and junior companies, and is engaged in projects in Canada as well as outside North America. Bamber says that using the MineSense Solution will help reduce energy consumption, water use and greenhouse gas emissions, thus improving the sustainability of integrated mine, mill and smelter operations. He further adds that projected operational savings would enable the system to pay for itself in months rather than years.

The value equation To inform potential users of the features and benefits of the MineSense Solution and other preconcentration technologies,

upfront PROCESSING

MineSense joined forces with the Sudbury-based Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and Falconbridge, Ontario-based Xstrata Process Support (XPS), and developed PreCalculatOre, a free software program that can be downloaded from both the CEMI and MineSense websites. PreCalculatOre is an integrated process and cost-modelling tool that performs like a very sophisticated spreadsheet for mining, milling and smelting operations. It can compare and contrast the impact on operating costs, ore extraction and overall metal recoveries of the traditional mining approach to one with a preconcentration stage, such as the MineSense Solution. Preconcentration impacts are evaluated by hypothetically introducing a degree of waste rejection through an ore preconcentration process inserted between the mine and the mill. PreCalculatOre enables users to adjust the base costs of their operations by making changes to mining and milling costs. Each of the operating and capital costs of the mining operation (mine fill, muck, hoisting, waste and ore haul) and the milling operation (preconcentration, waste handling, mill haul, grinding, flotation, roasting, leaching, dewatering, tailings, concentrate haul, smelting, slag handling and refining) can be adjusted. PreCalculatOre can be used to evaluate the suitability of preconcentration techniques in open pit and underground

copper, nickel, gold and molybdenum sulphide mines. Bamber says the application came about when MineSense was working with XPS on a desktop research project into ore preconcentration for CEMI. “CEMI concluded that a lack of tools for the economic evaluation of preconcentration opportunities was a barrier to increased adoption of the approach in the industry,” he explains.

Room for improvement “Some conventional processing can be done in the mine or the pit, such as preconcentration, which is the rejection of barren waste from the mill feed,” Bamber says. “The process generates a smaller amount of higher quality concentrate. There is a wide range of ores that can be preconcentrated, depending on their properties. It’s not widely used now and it needs to be done more.” The industry is actively searching for practical ways to reduce the operational costs and the environmental impacts of mining. Mine-mill integration is a practical and sustainable solution to these challenges. “Because of growing environmental constraints and the increasing lack of capital, it’s no longer feasible to build the sort of mega-mines that process large quantities of ore and waste to obtain a relatively small amount of concentrate,” says Bamber. “The industry is starting to realize that bigger isn’t always better.” CIM

From concept through closure Industry-leading expertise and project development with the right people in the right places front-end studies mineral and metallurgical process design open pit and underground mine design surface and underground infrastructure engineering tailings technology and mine water management geotechnical engineering and environmental services construction and project management

Australia - Brazil - Canada - Chile - Peru South Africa - UK - USA

at 0 ts 110 r pe th ex Boo 2 r ou 6-9 d ar t M ee r n M Ma a b 27 640 e h AC E F oot PD M B S February 2011 | 27

upfront TECHNOLOGY by Alexandra Lopez-Pacheco

Sharing knowledge in the digital realm

Photo courtesy of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)

An online resource for mine design

quicker than it used to 20 or 30 years ago, so to us, the wiki was a means of getting individuals from around the world who are doing really exciting things in mine design to come together to bring their knowledge to a central location. More importantly, what we are doing is not only documenting what they’re doing, but also developing new knowledge, and doing it in the same format as the highly successful collaborative Wikipedia.”

A vital archive

MineDesignWiki has the capacity to erase the walls and boundaries that keep much of mine design knowledge, best practices and new ideas scattered across the globe or in Screenshot of MineDesignWiki web page. The website’s aim is to become the complete reference for both the niche sites on the Internet or, all too development and detail of current mine design practice. often, simply sitting in libraries in universities or corporations. “There is very little difficulty finding financial hat if there was a way to bring together not just information on mining on the Internet, information that is all the existing knowledge and best practices in produced by the mining investment community or on minmine design from around the world today, but ing disasters, for example, but it can be very difficult to also the very minds behind them, to build on find information about the technical aspects of mining,” them, collaborate, discuss and identify areas needing new says Dasys. “You could find an abstract, but if you don’t research and tools? What impact would this have on the have a subscription to the publication, you can’t get to the sector’s present and future? How would this accelerate complete paper. And the paper doesn’t get updated over innovation and progress? time.” With the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation’s MineDesignWiki has the potential to be as vibrant and (CEMI) recent introduction of the online resource leading edge as the individuals who work, teach, research MineDesignWiki, the opportunity to answer these ques- and study in the mine design sector, essentially creating a tions in the near future has become very real. All that is virtual meeting place for high-quality collaboration. “We needed now is for practitioners, professionals and stu- wanted to ensure the reliability of the facts and informadents in mining to join and continue to build the virtual tion in the wiki, which is important to the community involved, so the site is set up in such a way that anyone can community. Think of MineDesignWiki as an electronic handbook go in and view it, but only those who are registered on the that is constantly being updated and revised. “The whole site can go in and make collaborative contributions,” says idea of creating a handbook of knowledge has been tried a Glenn Lyle, R&D program director at CEMI and project number of times,” says Andrew Dasys, president of Objec- lead. “There will also be some articles that are not open to tivity, a decision support consultancy for the mining indus- collaboration, but can be commented on.” try. Dasys is part of the team behind the wiki site’s creation. “We think one of MineDesignWiki’s key distinctions is that “One of the difficulties is that once a handbook is printed, if you’re making a contribution to the handbook, your name there’s no way to go in and change the information as tech- will be attached to it,” Lyle adds. “The participants in the nology progresses,” he says. “As in the case of almost every community are not paid, so by attaching the person’s name to other industry, the mining industry is moving much the contribution, over time they either get recognized

28 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

upfront TECHNOLOGY

as having expertise in the field or as providing a substantial contribution to this community effort. CEMI values this kind of project because it meets its mandate to establish excellence in strategic research areas deemed critically important to the mining industry.”

Mentoring the next generation The site’s editor-in-chief, Dr. Steve McKinnon, a professor and chair in mine design at the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining at Queen’s University, believes that MineDesignWiki fills a serious gap in the industry. “One of the main reasons I became involved in the beginning was because I saw a need for students,” he says. “I conduct the fourth-year final mine design project at Queen’s, which brings together all the knowledge from the different courses the students have taken to design. The problem is that there’s very little published information. I wanted a means of getting access for my students to the wealth of knowledge possessed by practitioners. The wiki format is ideal for that. Being very Internet savvy, the students will naturally gravitate towards that format rather than a book in a library. For me, this was a great opportunity to participate in a project that would be a wonderful resource for students.” For these reason, Dr. George McIssac, a mining engineer and a mineral economist, joined the team as senior editor. He heads Geology & Mining Evaluation Consulting (G-MEC) based in Viña del Mar, Chile. The future generation of mining design professionals was very much a consideration that went into CEMI’s decision to create MineDesignWiki. “Given today’s demographics, as the aging population retires and as the requirement for minerals continues to increase, particularly with the emerging economies,” says Dasys, “you need to attract the very best people to the industry. If young people cannot go on the web and find information that is scientifically relevant or interesting, they won’t see mining as a potential career opportunity.” On the other hand, there is a vast amount of knowledge and experience in the minds of older generations that the younger generations can build upon and take to the next level. “As a baby boomer myself,” says Lyle, “I think there’s a tremendous interest in being able to pass on the information we have and make it available for future generations. We’ve seen a huge interest in the wiki site on the part of the baby boomers who are retiring and don’t want to be sitting out unable to contribute.”

and contribute three or four paragraphs than I am to produce an article.’ And we want to get many of those contributors,” says Lyle. It is still early for this new virtual community, and CEMI is spreading the word across the industry and laying the foundation for collaboration with such organizations as CIM, which has become an essential partner in building the community. CEMI is in preliminary discussions with CANMET concerning content for the wiki. “Any corporation or professional in the industry that has accumulated a vast amount of information doesn’t necessarily know what to do with when they’re no longer using it, says Lyle. “I think putting it into the wiki for other people to access is far better than it just sitting on a dusty shelf. Right now, we’re focused on mine design, but as we speak to different professionals in the industry, they’re seeing other topics within the mining industry as being of interest to develop in the wiki. For example, there’s the greening of mining. The fact is the architecture of the software makes it very easy to add in those components.” The MineDesignWiki will be showcased at the CIM Conference & Exhibition in Montreal in May 2011. To view the site, please go to www.minedesignwiki.org. CIM

From deck side to desktop Because of its format, MineDesignWiki is incredibly flexible when it comes to the amount of time needed to contribute. Actually, it is entirely up to the individual and that too is one of the strengths of the wiki format. Whether retired, working in the field or studying, most people don’t have a great deal of free time. “One of the comments we had is, ‘I’m far more likely to sit on my deck February 2011 | 29

upfront Q&A by Eavan Moore

Collaboration the key to innovation and success AMIRA chairman discusses the challenges of innovation very innovation begins with an idea. But to bring that idea to fruition requires hard work and collaboration. That is the spirit of AMIRA International Limited. Formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1959 by ten companies and one university, it has grown into a leading-edge research association providing innovative technological solutions for the mining industry. In 2011, it has grown to 221 researchers from 62 institutions around the world who are working on projects valued at $62.8 million. Douglas Magoon is the current chairman of AMIRA International. He has spent much of his career working in technology at Teck Resources Limited and continues to represent Teck at AMIRA. CIM Magazine recently spoke with Magoon about the challenges and opportunities for mining innovation, the role of research and collaboration, as well as some of the innovations AMIRA has pioneered. Photo courtesy of www.jameswalkerphotography.ca

CIM: In Canada, industry, government and educational institutions have identified the need to have a more coherent strategy for R&D and innovation; however, executing the strategy has proven difficult. What is the key to getting industry stakeholders to commit to R&D? Magoon: A more coherent R&D strategy for Canada will be achieved when the key stakeholders realize that a critical avenue to stronger competitive advantage lies in developing a “Team Canada” mindset in which government and industry work in a truly collaborative manner. The key to getting industry stakeholders to commit to R&D is through education. Industry leaders, who are rightly proud of their companies’ capabilities and achievements, and government leaders must be fully briefed on three issues. The first is the status of technological capability of Canadian companies, especially where technical gaps exist vis-a-vis competitors in other jurisdictions. The second is the parallels and differences in R&D strategies of other natural resources-focused countries and the comparative magnitude of their government and corporate research funding. And third is a 30 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

compelling benefit to be achieved, coupled with the path to its achievement. CIM: Australia has the reputation of being an early adopter of new technology. Is that characterization accurate? Magoon: In my view, Australia has been an early “developer” of new technology, and Australian companies have tended toward early adoption. It is a country richly endowed with natural resources and talented, competitive and determined people. Whether it be industry, commerce or sport, they have long possessed a proud and competitive “let’s pull together to succeed” mindset. This is well-exemplified by their 50-year history in the establishment and generous funding of research, not only in the minerals sector but in other scientific disciplines as well. CIM: Can you tell us a bit about the West African Exploration Initiative? Magoon: This is a $2.65 million project supported by the geological survey departments of 12 West African countries, ten mining corporations and eight universities in Europe, Africa and Australia. Its objectives include developing new geological frameworks to generate regional exploration insights, providing short courses and M.Sc. and PhD projects for African geoscientists, and improving local capacity to meet mineral industry needs in a region that has great potential but presents operational challenges. CIM: Can you provide examples of some of the innovations that have resulted from AMIRA’s efforts and have been adopted at operations? Magoon: Many of AMIRA’s thousand projects have created innovations used in industry today. Examples include SEM technologies, remote sensing in exploration, sulphide mineral flotation, cable bolting — and the list goes on. Companies generally use the technology developed in a project as a matter of course. Several of the major projects have been independently audited. For example, the Thickener Technology project cost its 20 sponsors $9.78 million and benefited them by $289 million. Each sponsor earned $29 for each dollar spent. CIM: Your latest report states that for AMIRA to succeed, it must become an innovative organization that solves members’ evolving challenges. What are some of the emerging challenges? Magoon: Like all organizations, AMIRA builds on its successes by reviewing its operating environment and its strategic response to that environment, which includes industry

upfront Q&A

consolidation, industry globalization, progressively more challenging ore bodies and increased focus by industry and the public on sustainability and social licence issues. One strategic role for AMIRA is to strengthen the mechanisms that facilitate dialogue among members about common issues, needs and potential solutions. An example of such an initiative is the AMIRA-sponsored biannual Exploration Managers Conference. It is a by-invitation conference for senior member company exploration and geoscience executives to network on technical and environmental issues. CIM: How does one create an environment that fosters innovation in mining? Magoon: A key strategy is the creation of networking opportunities that facilitate dialogue about innovation. CIM, AusIMM, CMIC and AMIRA are examples of entities that have a role to play. Sometimes the risk of innovation is accurately appraised. But I am concerned that industry tends to be more conservative regarding process technology innovation than, say, exploration risk. Companies invest huge sums in exploration, aware of the high potential reward but low probability of success in any given project. Yet proposals in the arena of technology innovation, while lower in cost, tend to be held to a higher standard of probability before being supported for funding. It is a frustrating reality for those involved in process technology development. One reason for this is that funding for R&D activities is sometimes linked to the operating budgets of production entities, which have tight accountabilities for profit and loss performance. One way to mitigate that concern is to engage in multi-sponsor collaborative projects. Another is to make R&D budgets stand-alone with a corporate reporting accountability like exploration budgets.

CIM: What are some major challenges facing the mining sector when it comes to innovation? Magoon: One key challenge is finding and retaining talented technical people. This is really an issue of education, to assure that student candidates know and appreciate the tremendous career potential in the minerals industry. Another is to truly understand what is happening on the technology frontier so that good technology strategies can be developed. A third challenge can be funding, both from corporate and government sources, as world economies wax and wane. And a fourth is getting industry to work collaboratively, because for many technological developments, that is the most industry strategic option. CIM: How do you promote collaboration in an industry that is highly competitive and not prone to seeing the advantages of sharing research information? Magoon: I believe the answer is reasonable dialogue with senior leaders in industry about the key factors that contribute to competitive advantage. The truly strategic areas of competition are resource acquisition and product marketing. Management of environmental and social responsibility issues strongly influences industry-wide access to quality ore deposits. Often, technical issues donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer material competitive advantage, but deferring their resolution could lead to adverse industry-wide outcomes. While technologies for finding and producing arguably create strategic advantage, that can be a minor benefit compared to industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to undertake those activities with less environmental and social impact and thus better position itself to have social licence to operate. In those instances, technical collaboration is prudent, timely and cost-effective. CIM

Oil Sands

& Heavy Oil

February 2011 | 31

innovation

Stepping up our game Could the Canadian mining industry be doing more to innovate? by Eavan Moore

he Canadian extractive industry has a curious relationship with innovation. It has served the industry well; the development of steam assisted gravity drainage technology unlocked the door to bitumen that was previously unrecoverable and placed Canada near the top of the world in crude oil reserves. However, since that breakthrough in the 1980s, research and development spending in the oil and gas sector has flagged and many would claim that other players in the extractive sectors have been similarly sparing. It is not that the industry lacks reasons to develop new technologies and processes: safety and environmental concerns pose enduring challenges, while the future promises both further personnel shortages and ore bodies that will be increasingly difficult to extract. But once a company identifies its future needs, it faces a welter of challenges.

32 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Universities compete for corporate sponsors, equipment manufacturers are reluctant to grant access to proprietary technology they have spent time and money developing, government support has its limits, and academic research facilities can project an â&#x20AC;&#x153;ivory towerâ&#x20AC;? culture, distancing them from the spheres of influences. What courses of action are mining professionals best advised to take? Better collaboration is essential. Some would also argue that greater vision and leadership willing to take risks are needed. They say that to undertake effective innovation, firms need to act more boldly and openly on a global level â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and, perhaps, especially so here in Canada.

Evaluating opportunities Laura Mottola, mining engineer and head of business improvement at Quadra FNX Mining believes that mining

Photo courtesy of Shannon Katary/CEMI

The wealth of research equipment and expertise in Sudbury, such as that available at Geoscience Laboratories, is critical to pursuing the country's research and innovation objectives.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Katary/CEMI

innovation

Coordinated research: PhD candidate Rob Bewick (pictured here with CEMI president Peter Kaiser, right) is working with MIRARCO to explore the behaviour of highly stressed rock masses. CEMI is sponsoring the research that Bewick is conducting while on educational leave from Golder Associates Ltd.

company. But McCarthy says that other companies have not followed Cameco’s lead. “I’ve worked on four or five studies where we’ve considered this,” he says. “Each time it looked like it was at least no more expensive than the alternative, but because it was innovative, it was dropped from the study.” If taking initial risks can have long-term payoffs, why don’t mining professionals do more of it? One ready explanation is that the way companies think about risk is limited by the funding mechanisms available to them. Executives who monitor share prices and quarterly results cannot afford to have long-term visions for the company. “That doesn’t really hold up,” says Jim Popowich, retired president of Fording Coal Trust and retired CEO and president of Elk Valley Coal Corporation, both acquired by Teck Resources Limited in 2008. “The typical shareholder is looking to see you innovate; there is no way that being a public company should stop you.” Popowich explains that during his time at Fording, the company automated its drill positioning in order to reduce costs. He explains it as matter-of-fact continuous improvement. “If it’s a small part of the business, you’re less likely to be worried about that side. You are more likely to move forward.” Still, he sounds a conservative note about introducing change. “Innovation in small steps sometimes happens more effectively than innovation in big steps.”

companies do not fully capitalize on innovative technologies to transform operations. She questions why mine operators accept production inefficiencies when they could be alleviated by the appropriate automation of certain key processes and the application of lean principles. “People seem to think that mining automation is still in development,” says Mottola. “It is proven technology. The trick is in implementing technology with equal focus on process redesign and change management.” John Thompson, vice-president of technology and development at Teck Resources Limited, is more circumspect. Although individual pieces of automation are proven, his company remains cautious. Large-scale mining automation, he says, ”is not proven technology yet in an operational sense.” However, there are other examples of slow uptake even on established methods. Peter McCarthy, chairman of Australia-based AMC Consultants, observes that the cost-saving benefits of underground ramp access are still missing from feasibility studies. “Many people in Canada will tell you that you can’t operate a decline mine below about 300 metres, and yet there are decline mines operating to 1,500 metres vertically below the surface,” he says. Like the first decline mines, some operations do take risks that pay off. McCarthy offers the example of Cameco’s McArthur River uranium mine, where they decided to grind ore underground and pump it to surface, minimizing radon daughter products in the atmosphere. An innovative technique, and some would say risky to put into a new mine, it has nonetheless paid off for the February 2011 | 33

innovation Mottola, past chair of CIM’s Society for Innovation in neers or miners. We put them in a supervisory position and Mining Technology, thinks that while the funding situa- assume that because they’re good engineers they’ll be tion is a challenge, courageous leadership — a quality good leaders, and it’s a totally different job.” that should be cultivated in Taking responsibility head offices as well as through“I am aware Advocates for a new look at out organizations — would surleadership say that it can flourish mount it. “I think the key issue is of several instances in an organization of any size. But having a clear vision of what when engineers when it comes to specific investyou want your mining company ments in research and developto do and to be in terms of and geologists ment, different companies may operational excellence and the have been told have different roles to play. use of technology to achieve that there is a ban The majors generally can and business objectives,” she says. do put large amounts of cash into Then, she adds, it takes rare on presenting research initiatives. Companies guts to stick to that vision and at conferences.” like Teck, Barrick Gold, and Rio see it through. She points to Rio Tinto sponsor projects at collaboTinto, a company that has suc— P. McCarthy rative research organizations, cessfully maintained its vision of conduct one-on-one partnermining automation and remote ships with research providers, and do their own in-house operations even through the latest recession. Rosie Steeves, president of the executive development development. They are able to try out innovative techniques firm Executive Works, echoes Mottola’s call for greater at selected mine sites without risking their entire business, managerial vision. “What we need in our leaders is the abil- and they are able to invest in expensive long-term projects. Fred Delabbio, general manger for underground innovaity to have a longer term view, to be able to resolve various tion at Rio Tinto, thinks that good research can happen in kinds of conflicting perspectives, and to dodge their way an organization of any size. “It takes a justification of why through challenges,” she says. “And we don’t do a very you’re doing something, having a pathway to manage that good job of developing those skills in folks. We tend to proinvestment properly, and to deliver an outcome,” he argues. mote people because they’re technically competent engi“Any organization can do research.” Popowich, who now serves on the board of directors for The Mosaic Company, agrees. “A lot of people may not have the resources, but they can do the thinking,” he says. “A lot of smaller companies are quite innovative as well because they don’t have a lot of red tape and administration to go through. So they just try new ideas.” Mottola similarly believes that there may be more flexibility of thinking at the mid-tier companies. “They’re less tied to preconceived notions,” she suggests. “And to position themselves in the marketplace, they need to be different.”

A REPUTABLE PARTNER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MINES AND PROCESS PLANTS

Collaboration and secrecy

Visit our Website at kiewit.ca 34 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

One of the most ambitious efforts to collectively address the industry’s needs took shape as the Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC). The multi-stakeholder organization has identified a number of needs and areas of responsibility around the topic of innovation. One of them speaks directly to mining companies: the need to

innovation embrace collaboration as a way of alleviating risk and get- safer techniques hurt the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety standards as a ting effective research done. But much depends on atti- whole. tudes within the company. Delabbio agrees on that point. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In some situations, you Pooling resources enables companies to invest in major want to get knowledge out as quickly and widely as possilong-term projects without bearing the financial risk alone. ble, he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Typical examples are in the areas of safety or In joint projects and at conferences, a collaborative in geo-mechanics.â&#x20AC;? But he also believes that some investapproach creates cross-pollination of ideas leading to solu- ments need safeguarding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If an organization is making a tions that might not have appeared otherwise. significant investment and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new technology thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s But sometimes the move to collaborate rubs against created, you need to consider what protection is approprianother industry stronghold: secrecy. Companies hesitate ate and consider the risk that somebody else not involved to share research that involves sensitive operational details and, in doing so, lose their competitive advantage. Similarly, entirely self-funded research has the attraction of locking down any resulting intellectual property. AMCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s McCarthy is concerned that secrecy efforts on a worldwide level have actually risen in the last three to five years, in the wake of major mergers and acquisitions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a defensiveness about the way companies are operating,â&#x20AC;? he remarks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People are continually concerned about not releasing any information that will enable a competitor to make a takeover bid. At the size of takeovers now, nobody feels secure.â&#x20AC;? McCarthy, among others, has particularly noticed the gap at conferences. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am aware of several instances when engineers and geologists have been told that there is a ban on presenting at +GLC ?LB NPMACQQ P?U K?RCPG?JQ KMPC CDj AGCLRJW conferences,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone knows thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a particular innovative 2FC +GLGLE 'LBSQRPW area that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested in, and you "CK?LBQ &C?TWUCGEFRQ go to the conference and nobody from -INING IS A HARD AND HARSH INDUSTRY %NDRESS (AUSER ARE ITS that major company has attended the HEAVYWEIGHTS conference or is presenting a paper. 7ITH A FULL LINE OF MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTATION SOLUTIONS And when you investigate, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO MEET THE RUGGED REQUIREMENTS OF THE 0RIMARIES )NDUSTRY %NDRESS (AUSER IS YOUR IDEAL CHOICE FOR theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told not to.â&#x20AC;? RAW MATERIAL HANDLING AND PROCESSING IN VARIED APPLICATIONS A growing number of industry pars 3LURRY FLOW MEASUREMENT ticipants suggest that secrecy does not s &LOTATION AND CLARIFIER OPTIMIZATION s +ILN TEMPERATURE CONTROL confer as many advantages as it s -ONITORING OF ORE LEVELS IN BINS appears. John Thompson at Teck holds s #ONTROLLING CONCENTRATIONS IN ACID PLANTS s 3LURRY DENSITY MEASUREMENT this view. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many people in our industry s !IRFLOW QUALITY donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fully understand competitive s !UTOMATION SOLUTIONS TO OPTIMIZE LOGISTICS PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROCESSES advantage and what creates it,â&#x20AC;? he 'OLD DIAMONDS COAL NICKEL IRON COPPER ALUMINA ZINC LIGHT says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They tend to fall back on that as METALS HEAVY METALSÂ&#x2C6;WHATEVER YOU MINE OR PROCESSÂ&#x2C6;ALL a reason not to collaborate without REQUIRE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO MEASURE m OW LEVEL PRESSURE TEMPERATURE DENSITY P( AND MORE being able to distinguish between what 5 + IS ,IFECYCLE -ANAGEMENT 4RY ONE OF ITS FUNCTIONS FOR $0## !MSLR ML #LBPCQQ &?SQCP Â&#x2020; MLC N?PRLCP DMP ?JJ is a general need and what is a specific WWW CA ENDRESS COM DEVICEVIEWER WMSP GLQRPSKCLR?RGML LCCBQ need.â&#x20AC;? 4EL #LBPCQQ &?SQCP !?L?B? *RB *RĂ?C One of the major problems with &AX 3UTTON $RIVE secrecy, says McCarthy, is that innovaINFO CA ENDRESS COM "URLINGTON /NTARIO WWW CA ENDRESS COM , , : tion can lead to safer practices. Policies that restrict the development of February 2011 | 35

innovation could attempt to patent that technology.” Case in point: Rio Tinto. The company has made significant investments into groundbreaking approaches, including its experiment in fully automated iron ore mining, and has carefully controlled information about its projects. “Actually,” adds Delabbio, “without considering intellectual property and confidentiality, you cannot do large projects that that will make a step change. There needs to be proper IP and confidentiality management with any large project, and avoiding it actually makes those big research projects more difficult for all the parties involved. Imagine asking shareholders for millions of dollars and then saying, ‘Well, anyone could come in and patent this technology and then Rio and partners could be prevented from using it in the case of somebody else patenting it.’ I don’t think this would be an appropriate approach.” Advocates of greater openness say that very few mining developments are actually patentable or critically strategic, and conference presentations serve as ”prior art,” which means competitors cannot patent the innovations presented. They also argue that having technology does not in itself confer competitive advantage; rather, the advantage arises in how technology is used. Doug Magoon, former manager at Teck and chair of the research consortium AMIRA, suggests that companies might not realize what they are missing. “At the end of the

day, how critically do those entities really measure the effectiveness of their strategy and how well do they understand the advantages or disadvantages that have accrued as a consequence of that strategy?” he asks. “One of the risks of taking a very independent and closed view is that if you happen to step on the right train, you’ll do very well, but if you step on a train that’s heading in the wrong direction all by yourself, you’re going to wind up at a very isolated and expensive destination.” McCarthy thinks that secrecy may not ultimately be possible. “At the moment, employees are extremely mobile,” he says. “Anyone who’s working on your project could be working for a competitor very soon, and so trying to keep that information confidential is very difficult. Yet the progress that you might have all made is stymied because each of you is part of the solution.” Both Magoon and Thompson say that the dialogue is ultimately moving in favour of greater openness. “I’ve been very encouraged by lots of people who now realize that intellectual property in itself doesn’t guarantee competitive advantage,” says Thompson, “and that there are many opportunities where the value can be created by collaboration.” The Surface Mining Association for Research and Technology (SMART) is one such opportunity for mining companies to collaborate. SMART was conceived to both coordinate technology development among miners and to better convey industry needs to manufacturers and suppliers. As critical as open communication is among industry players, it is equally so for the myriad tools that make up a modern mine site. Proprietary networks and software applications effectively shut operators out from the information that would help them optimize their operations. Each piece of technology demanded its own HOW DO YOU GET MORE OUT OF YOUR MINE? monitor, clogging the cabs of mining equipment. JUST ASK GOLDER. “There used to be more screens than windows,” recalls Tim Skinner, who leads the SMART group committed to congeology,, extreme weather and remote locations are challenges enough. Add to that, social, Complex geology nectivity and open technology standards challenge.. environmental and regulatory issues and you can appreciate why mining is a challenge for the surface mining industry. Standard continents,, Golder has developed unique expertise in open-pit and FFor or over 50 years and working within six continents wireless networks and open compatible underground mining, delivering sound solutions that maximize vvalue alue and minimize risk. platforms helped solve that problem, but Engineering Earth’s Earth’ss Integrity Integrity.. Earth’s Development, Preserving Preserving Earth’ Skinner says it is an ongoing challenge to get access to and use to the greatest advantage the information gleaned from the technology and software applications that constitute a modern mining Canada 1 800 414 8314 solutions@golder.com solutions@golder.com operation – information that OEMs often www.golder.com www.golder.com prefer to keep for themselves. That protectiveness is just one more barrier to

36 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Prospects for Canada With the commitment from oil sands operators to share their research on tailings management, the value of collaboration is being realized. Ideally, the CMIC can use the momentum of the agreement to push others considering similar cooperation. In Sudbury, industry and research expertise have also won votes of confidence from the global mining companies that have invested millions of dollars in Ontario’s Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI); most recently Rio Tinto has committed $10 million over five years to establish the Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction. To facilitate grassroots collaboration, CEMI launched the MineDesignWiki to allow mining engineers to share and discuss best practices in mine design, the success of which depends largely on the involvement of industry professionals. (see Upfront Technology, page 28) “Leadership can really develop culture that supports innovation and creativity,” insists Skinner. “You’ve got to be challenged; you need to see what people are doing in other industries. Traditionally, mining has not been that aggressive in pursuing this, but things are changing.” He cites the emergence of high-precision GPS and wireless networks as powerful catalysts for innovation and with it, increased productivity and equipment availability. The opportunities for improvement are there; some may argue that the industry must apply itself more urgently and proactively to the challenges of innovation. If the rhetoric about the growth potential of the BRIC nations is to be believed, now is the time to shed the boom and slump mentality and rise to the challenge of meeting long-term global demand with innovative sustainable responses. CIM

Collaboration in action by Peter Caulfield Bradley Wamboldt, director of tailings reduction operations for Suncor Energy, with oil sands mine tailings solidified by the company’s tailings management process

In December, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Limited, Shell Canada, Suncor Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Inc., Teck Resources Limited and Total E&P Canada publicly committed to work together to advance tailings management. Each company pledged to share its existing tailings research and technology and to remove barriers to collaborating on future R&D. “With this agreement, we’ll share our technology with other players,” says Brad Bellows, director of corporate communications for Suncor Energy. “In turn, they’ll put their technology on the table or, if they’re a little further back on the R&D curve, they’ll commit to help fund research to drive further improvement.” John Broadhurst, Shell’s vice-president of oil sands development, states that the motivation for the agreement is simple. “We want to achieve better results faster.” Innovation, he says, will be fostered by “a very broad and open sharing of information.” The agreement is supported by the Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC), an Ottawa-based organization that exists to promote mining research and innovation through research capacity and funding, as well as to increase collaboration between industry, universities and various levels of government. CMIC vice-president Gord Winkel says the sector has excellent building blocks for future advances. “These include composite tailings, fines centrifuging, fines deposition and drying, to name just a few. What we need is a suite of technologies to complete mine reclamation efforts.” He says a total of approximately $90 million of tailings research and field trial work is planned for 2011 by all industry firms. The companies have agreed to four “core principles” to guide their research collaboration: • Make technical information more broadly available to the industry members, academia, regulators and others interested in collaborating on tailings solutions. • Collaborate on tailings-related research and development and technology among companies as well as with research agencies. • Eliminate monetary and intellectual property barriers to the use of knowledge and methods related to tailings technology and R&D. • Work to develop an appropriate framework so that tailings information is organized, verified through peer review and kept up-to-date. Shell, says Broadhurst, has focused on tailings thickening technology, but it has also been working on other tailings management research projects. “There is no single solution for any operator,” he explains. “You need a portfolio of solutions.” Research at Suncor led to its Tailings Reductions Operations (TRO) tailings reclamation process. “With TRO,” explains Bellows, “we expect to reduce the time from initial land disturbance for mining to a ready-for-reclamation state from 30 or more years to about 10. The exciting part about this agreement is that by sharing our technology with other companies, we bring an even greater research capacity to bear that improves TRO performance, combines it with other technologies to enhance it, or even leads us to completely new and more effective technologies.”

Photo courtesy of Suncor

overcome, says Skinner: “Innovation happens in a diverse, open, highexchange environment.”

Better results faster

innovation

Intensifier nos efforts Est-ce que l’industrie minière du Canada pourrait en faire davantage en matière d’innovation?

’industrie extractive du Canada ne manque pas de raisons lorsqu’il s’agit d’élaborer de nouvelles technologies et de nouveaux processus, mais une fois qu’elle a cerné ses besoins futurs, l’entreprise fait face à une multitude de défis. Les universités se font concurrence pour la commandite de sociétés, les fabricants d’équipement sont peu disposés à donner accès à leur technologie brevetée lorsqu’ils ont consacré du temps et de l’argent à la mettre au point, le soutien de l’État possède ses limites et les installations de recherche universitaires peuvent faire preuve d’un « élitisme » qui les relègue à la périphérie des sphères d’influence. Quels sont les meilleurs plans d’action recommandés pour les professionnels du secteur minier? Une meilleure collaboration est essentielle. Certaines personnes avanceront également qu’une intuition plus juste de l’avenir et des dirigeants plus disposés à prendre des risques sont nécessaires. Ils affirment qu’en vue d’innover de façon efficace, les entreprises doivent faire preuve de plus d’audace et d’ouverture à tous les niveaux — et, peut-être, en particulier ici au Canada.

Évaluation des possibilités Laura Mottola, ingénieure des mines et chef de l’amélioration commerciale chez Quadra FNX Mining Ltd., croit que les sociétés minières n’exploitent pas entièrement les technologies novatrices pour changer leurs opérations. Elle se demande pourquoi les sociétés d’exploitation minière 40 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

acceptent d’utiliser des pratiques de production non efficientes qui pourraient être remédié par l’automatisation appropriée de certains processus clés et l’application des principes d’une production frugale. « Les gens semblent penser que l’automatisation est encore en développement dans le secteur minier, » affirme Madame Mottola. « Il s’agit d’une technologie éprouvée. L’astuce consiste à mettre en œuvre la technologie tout en prenant soin d’accorder autant d’attention à restructurer le processus et à gérer le changement. » John Thompson, vice-président de la technologie et du développement chez Teck Resources Limited, se montre plus réservé. Bien que certains éléments d’automatisation soient éprouvés, son entreprise demeure prudente. « L’automatisation minière sur une grande échelle n’a pas encore fait ses preuves du point de vue opérationnel », a-t-il déclaré. Ancienne présidente de la Société des technologies minières innovatrices (STMI) de l’Institut canadien des mines, de la métallurgie et du pétrole (ICM), Madame Mottola croit qu’un leadership courageux doit être favorisé au sein des sièges sociaux ainsi que dans l’ensemble des organisations. « Je pense qu’au fond, il est nécessaire d’avoir une vision claire de ce que vous voulez que votre société minière fasse et de ce que vous voulez qu’elle soit en matière d’excellence opérationnelle et d’utiliser la technologie pour atteindre les objectifs opérationnels », souligne-t-elle, avant d’ajouter « il faut démontrer un aplomb extraordinaire pour adhérer à cette vision et la mener à bien. »

Photo courtoisie de Rio Tinto

Avec ses vastes réserves dans des régions éloignées telles que Pilbara en Australie Occidentale, Rio Tinto considère l'automatisation comme étant la clé pour faire face à la demande croissante.

innovation Collaboration et confidentialité L’une des initiatives les plus ambitieuses pour répondre à l’ensemble des besoins en matière d’innovation de l’industrie a été la création du Conseil canadien de l’innovation minière (CCIM). Cet organisme regroupant de nombreux intervenants a déterminé plusieurs zones de responsabilité relativement à l’innovation. L’une d’elles concerne directement les sociétés minières : le besoin de travailler en collaboration de façon à réduire le risque et à poursuivre efficacement les travaux de recherche. Toutefois, de telles actions dépendent en grande partie des attitudes adoptées au sein de l’entreprise. En mettant des ressources en commun, les entreprises peuvent investir dans des projets importants à long terme sans devoir en assumer seules le risque financier. Lors de projets communs et de conférences, une approche coopérative mène à un échange d’idées d’où peuvent survenir des solutions qui n’auraient peut-être pas été découvertes autrement. Cependant, parfois l’initiative de collaboration va à l’encontre d’un autre pilier de l’industrie : la confidentialité. Les entreprises hésitent à partager leurs travaux de recherche qui comprennent des renseignements confidentiels sur leurs opérations et ainsi perdre leur avantage concurrentiel. De même, les travaux de recherche entièrement autofinancés possèdent l’avantage de protéger toute propriété intellectuelle en découlant. Peter McCarthy, président d’AMC Consulting, est préoccupé par le fait que les efforts en matière de confidentialité ont récemment pris de l’ampleur à l’échelle mondiale, à la suite de grands regroupements d’entreprises et d’acquisitions importantes. Il explique : « Les entreprises exercent leurs activités en démontrant une attitude défensive. Les gens sont sans cesse préoccupés par la protection des renseignements qui permettraient à un concurrent de faire une offre d’achat visant la mainmise de l’entreprise. Étant donné l’ampleur actuelle de telles prises de contrôle, personne ne se sent en sécurité. » M. McCarthy, entre autres, a constaté cette tendance particulièrement lors de conférences. « Je connais plusieurs ingénieurs et géologues qui ont été informés qu’il était interdit de donner des présentations », affirme-t-il avant de poursuivre : « Tout le monde sait que nous sommes intéressés par un domaine novateur en particulier et lorsque nous nous présentons à la conférence, personne œuvrant au sein de cette grande entreprise n’est présent ou ne donne un exposé. À force de poser des questions, vous apprenez que c’est parce qu’on leur a dit d’agir ainsi. » En revanche, un nombre grandissant de participants de l’industrie affirment que la confidentialité ne procure pas autant d’avantages qu’il semblerait. M. Thompson soutient cette opinion : « De nombreuses personnes dans notre industrie ne comprennent pas vraiment le concept d’avantage concurrentiel et ce qui le crée. Ils ont tendance à l’utiliser pour justifier leur réticence à collaborer

sans être en mesure de distinguer un besoin général d’un besoin spécifique. » Selon M. McCarthy, l’un des problèmes principaux de la confidentialité réside dans le fait que l’innovation peut mener à des pratiques plus sécuritaires. Ainsi, les politiques limitant le développement de techniques plus sécuritaires compromettent les normes de sécurité pour l’ensemble de l’industrie. Fred Delabbio, directeur général pour l’innovation des mines souterraines chez Rio Tinto, est d’accord : « Dans certaines situations, vous voulez que ces renseignements soient diffusés aussi rapidement et sur une aussi grande échelle que possible. Les exemples types concernent la sécurité ou la géomécanique. » Cependant, il croit aussi que certains investissements doivent être protégés. « Si une entreprise investit de fortes sommes pour développer une nouvelle technologie, vous devez songer à une protection appropriée et envisager le risque qu’une autre personne n’ayant pas participé à ces travaux puisse tenter de breveter cette technologie. » Les personnes préconisant une plus grande ouverture d’esprit affirmeront que très peu de projets miniers sont en réalité brevetables ou critiques d’un point de vue stratégique. Par ailleurs, les présentations données lors de conférences constituent une preuve « d’antériorité », ce qui signifie que les concurrents ne peuvent pas breveter les inventions ainsi présentées. Ils avancent également que le fait de posséder une certaine technologie ne procure pas en soi un avantage concurrentiel; l’avantage se présente plutôt dans la façon dont la technologie est utilisée. M. McCarthy pense que la confidentialité ne pourrait pas être possible en fin de compte. « En ce moment, les employés changent d’emplois fréquemment. Toute personne travaillant maintenant sur votre projet pourrait travailler pour un concurrent très bientôt et il demeure très difficile d’essayer de garder ces renseignements confidentiels. Finalement, le progrès que vous avez réalisé peut être contrecarré parce que chacun d’entre vous ne constitue qu’une partie de la solution. »

Perspectives d’avenir au Canada Grâce à l’engagement récent des exploitants de gisements de sables bitumineux à partager leurs travaux de recherche sur la gestion des résidus, la valeur de la collaboration est véhiculée. En théorie, le CCIM pourra continuer sur la lancée de cet accord afin de convaincre les autres à participer à des projets de coopération similaires. Les possibilités en matière d’amélioration existent bel et bien; certaines personnes affirmeront peut-être que l’industrie doit s’employer d’une façon plus urgente et proactive à résoudre les défis que présente l’innovation. Si on en croît le discours concernant le potentiel de croissance des pays BRIC, le moment est maintenant venu de délaisser la mentalité de l’emballement-effondrement et de se montrer à la hauteur du défi visant à satisfaire la demande mondiale à long terme en offrant des solutions viables et novatrices. ICM February 2011 | 41

featured project

Photo courtesy of Osisko Mining

Project development at Osisko’s property near Malartic, Quebec began in 2008. The mine is scheduled to begin production in the second quarter of 2011.

Fast-tracking to production A focused and motivated management team, high gold prices and a large deposit put this Quebec-based developer in an excellent position to get its Canadian Malartic operation off the ground as quickly as possible. by | Peter Diekmeyer

It takes a lot to get a large-scale mining operation going. But when skilled management, demand, financing arrangements and regulatory approval are aligned, the motivation to move quickly can be strong. That is particularly true of Osisko’s Canadian Malartic open pit mine, which is expected to start production in the second quarter of this year. “With gold prices trading at near record highs, we are doing everything we can to move things along quickly,” says Paul Johnson, the company’s general manager of technical services for the project, which is located 20 kilometres west 42 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

of Val-d’Or, in mining-friendly Quebec’s gold-rich Abitibi region. “But we are an experienced team, which together with the founders of Osisko, Sean Roosen, Robert Wares and John Burzynski, has many former Cambior executives, including CFO and vice-president finance Bryan Coates. We are used to working together under tough conditions.” Bought by IAMGOLD in 2006, Cambior operated mines in Quebec, the United States and South America, including the open pit Rosebel gold mine in Suriname, which the company brought into production in 2004.

featured project So far, those old Cambior hands, Johnson among them, have been doing a pretty good job. According to company officials, the Canadian Malartic mine site construction, including administration facilities, a grinding area, a crusher and thickeners, an associated tailings area and a “green wall” that is being built to shelter the adjoining town from the site, have all progressed on schedule. Furthermore, the mining vehicle fleet is on site and preproduction activities are well underway.

Year award from the Association de l’Exploration Minière du Quebec, followed by the 2008 PDAC Prospectors of the Year award, several in a series of accolades for their work. Canadian Malartic’s impressive ore body includes 8.97 million ounces of reserves and 7.7 million ounces of estimated recoverable gold. The ore will yield an average grade of 1.13 grams per tonne during the mine’s expected 12.2-year life. Close to 97 per cent of resources lie within 300 metres of the surface.

A major turnaround

Doing it quickly

Osisko bills the $1 billion Canadian Malartic investment as Quebec’s largest existing private sector project. By 2012, this fully financed and permitted operation is expected to produce 688,000 ounces of gold. Average production will eventually move up to 732,000 ounces per year over the first five years, drawn from the 60,000 tonnes of ore that will be processed each day. Osisko purchased the Canadian Malartic property when it became available following the bankruptcy of McWatters Mining in 2004. Two years later, the results of its drilling campaign earned Osisko executives the Prospectors of the

The project development phase began in early 2008 just as the exploration and permitting work was being wrapped up. “We worked using a critical path method,” says Johnson. “Instead of doing one thing at a time, we tried to do things concurrently, whenever possible, so that things got accomplished quicker.” According to Luc Lessard, the company’s vice-president of engineering and construction, also a Cambior alumnus, the company had to make several key decisions early. “The first question was whether to develop the property ourselves or sell it,” says Lessard. “Once we agreed to go ahead on our

SYMPOSIUM 2011 • ROUYN-NORANDA SUR L’ENVIRONMENT ET LES MINES • MINES AND THE ENVIRONMENT RESERVE THE DATE IN YOUR AGENDA ROUYN-NORANDA, QUEBEC, CANADA — NOVEMBER 6 TO 9, 2011

The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and the Canadian Institue of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), invite you to Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada, to attend the Symposium 2011 on Mines and the Environment, from November 6 to 9, 2011. This Symposium is the result of collaboration between the Industrial NSERC Polytechnique-UQAT in Environment and Mine Wastes Management, the Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), the Association minière du Québec (AMQ), the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Program, the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec (MRNF) and the industry. The objectives of the Symposium are to share recent knowledge and research developments and to discuss common practices to find solutions that reconcile profitability and environmental protection. Sunday, November 6: Short course Monday and Tuesday, November 7 and 8: Technical program addressing the following subjects: • Tailings • Backfill • Waste Rocks • Policies and Regulations • Contaminated • Site Restoration in Mining in Society Water • New Trends Tuesday, November 8: Plenary Wednesday, November 9: Site tours A trade show will also be held on November 7 and 8. Information will be available in the CIM Magazine. Also look on our web site for more details (accessible soon) at: www.cim.org/Symposium2011 For more information, please contact: Chantal Murphy (CIM): 1-800-667-1246

Chaire CRSNG Polytechnique - UQAT en environnement et gestion des rejets miniers

February 2011 | 43

featured project 1

44 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Photo courtesy of Osisko Mining

featured project

The proximity of the deposit to the town required the transport of 205 homes to a new neighbourhood as well as the construction of earthworks to reduce the impact of the mining operations on the town.

own, we had to figure out whether we needed to hire a project management firm to oversee construction operations.” This was where the in-house expertise was critical, explains Osisko president and CEO Sean Roosen. “We elected to take on project management ourselves rather than contracting out the work because we had an experienced, seasoned team of mine developers and operators in-house, led by Lessard. Many of our key players came on board from Cambior and, together, they had a combined experience of 120 years. Having an EPCM (engineering, procurement, construction management) contract in place would have cost an additional 25 to 40 per cent. This valuable resource also saved us time, since we control our own destiny and manage timelines based on our own experiences. This sort of depth of experience and expertise is common throughout the management at Osisko.” According to Lessard, in almost all cases, the work was started as early as possible. “We were on a real fast track. We were lining up our engineering talent and doing pre-purchases before our prefeasibility study was even fully completed,” says Lessard. “But this put us in a good position because by the time the feasibility study was finished, we were ready to go. The Quebec government gave the

project its final authorization on August 27, 2009, and the next day we were already pouring cement.” The company also had to detail and begin drilling and blasting approaches to the mine. In addition, arrangements were made to install three ball mills as well as a massive 11.5metre SAG mill, of which there are only two in North America. Driving it will require a 26,000 horsepower motor. Engineering talent played a crucial role in the process says Lessard, who highlights the key roles played by Breton Banville & Associates (in helping out with the bid preparation and analysis process), Golder Associates (pit stability work), Genivar (infrastructure and building services) and G. Mining,

Opposite page: 1. Cyclones for gravity separation; 2. The crushed ore stockpile is covered to limit dust; 3. Installation of the SAG mill gearless motor; 4. The process plant. All photos courtesy of Osisko Mining

February 2011 | 45

featured project headed by former Cambior president Louis Gignac, which took care of the pit design.

Partnering with the community Yet according to Jean-Sebastien David, Osisko’s vice-president of sustainable development, the company never lost sight of the fact that the Canadian Malartic Mine would not have been possible without a detailed partnership with the local community on a variety of issues. “We are very close neighbours with the town of Malartic,” notes David. “At some places the mine is just 90 metres from the town’s edge. So we had to foresee and deal with all the challenges that are inherent in setting up an industrial operation so close to a residential area.” In fact, during initial prefeasibility work it quickly became clear that to do things properly, nearly the entire south section of the town of Malartic, including 205 houses, would have to be moved and rebuilt, as well as a significant part of the municipal infrastructure, including a new long-term care facility, daycare facility, elementary school, adult learning facility and a cultural/recreation centre. The residential relocation is nearly complete; affected residents were given substantial compensation to make up for the inconvenience. In all, the company spent $144 million for community development efforts, ranging from initiatives such as the earthen wall that was built to reduce the noise and visual disturbance that come from having a large-scale industrial activity so close to the town centre. In addition, a roof was built on the ore storage pit in order to minimize the dust that could potentially blow over the town. Another commitment that the company made was its decision to opt for a thickened tailings disposal process and its agreement to clean up an existing tailings pond that was built up during underground operations at the former Canadian Malartic Mine and three others mines on the 230-square kilometre property.

Lining up suppliers Osisko took care to choose its partners carefully, says Johnson. “We naturally favoured suppliers who came from the Abitibi region 46 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

first and then those that came from the rest of the province,” he explains. “This not only gave us the opportunity to give back to the communities in which we do business, it also had a sound business purpose: local suppliers are far more likely to know the challenges we are facing and how to deal with them.” Securing financing for equipment was key, Johnson adds. “Despite our size, we are regarded as a mining junior developer so getting lenders on board with us was not easy at first,” he explains. However, in April 2008 Osisko found a powerful partner in Caterpillar Financial, which agreed to finance the company for US$83 million worth of equipment for five years. Roosen says Osisko made its case and the OEM responded. “They could see that the project was very robust and that we had a seasoned team managing and advancing it,” he explains. “We also always took a conservative approach with our resource calculations and cost and capital requirement estimations. Our management team is also well-known to the Cat people from having previously collaborated together on projects under Cambior.” And, adds Johnson, “when Cat agreed to finance us, it gave us instant credibility as a serious player within the industry.” The following February, Osisko received C$403 million in financing, which, says Roosen, is one of the largest equity financings ever by a junior developer. While they emerged as serious players, many others were idled on the sidelines by the recession. The timing, explains Roosen, had its advantages. “In 2009 the cost of equipment and consumables was indeed lower than in 2008, and there was greater availability of equipment and skilled contractors because of the economy,” he says. “It was perhaps also easier to negotiate better supplier contracts and to find higher quality labour in a quiet market. It probably would have been much more expensive had there not been such a downturn in the economy, although it was only because we were fully financed and because of our skilled management team propelling us forward that we were able to take advantage of any savings.” Geologist Robert Wares has been with the company since day one when he founded Osisko Exploration in 1998. Now the executive vice-president and COO, Wares remains as part of the team bringing the project into production and looks forward to the milestone: “We are very fortunate to have had the privilege to be one of the few exploration teams that took a project from conception and exploration drill holes to gold bars,” he says. “It has been a very unique and fulfilling process, but it has also been a lot of hard work and long days.’’ That said, the talent among the Osisko executives of finding prospective projects is not limited to their efforts on the Canadian Malartic property. In fact, the company is already planning to use the cash flows generated from those operations on new exploration and development work on its Hammond Reef and Duparquet projects. CIM

Making your world secure

Draw on our expertise

Contact me for more information: Cy King Email: cking@garda.ca T: 780.791.7087

February 2011 | 47

SYMPOSIUM 2011 • ROUYN-NORANDA SUR L’ENVIRONMENT ET LES MINES • MINES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

À METTRE IMMÉDIATEMENT À VOTRE AGENDA ROUYN-NORANDA, QUÉBEC, CANADA — LES 6, 7, 8 ET 9 NOVEMBRE 2011

L’Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) et l’Institut canadien des mines, de la métallurgie et du pétrole (ICM) vous invitent à RouynNoranda, Québec, Canada, du 6 au 9 novembre 2011, à l’occasion du Symposium 2011 sur l’environnement et les mines. Le Symposium est le résultat d’une collaboration entre la Chaire CRSNG Polytechnique-UQAT en environnement et gestion des rejets miniers, l’Unité de recherche et de service en technologie minérale (URSTM), l’Association minière du Québec (AMQ), le Programme de neutralisation des eaux de drainage dans l’environnement minier (NEDEM), le ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec (MRNF) et l’industrie. Les objectifs du Symposium visent à partager les connaissances les plus récentes et à discuter des expériences pratiques afin de « trouver des solutions pour concilier rentabilité et protection de l’environnement ».

Dimanche 6 novembre : Cours intensif Lundi et mardi 7 et 8 novembre : Programme technique portant sur :

• Rejets de concentrateur • Remblayage souterrain • Roches stériles • Politique et réglementation & Mines et société • Qualité des eaux • Restauration des sites • Nouvelles tendances

Mardi 8 novembre : Séance plénière Mercredi 9 novembre : Visites de sites Un salon commercial se tiendra aussi parallèlement au programme technique des 7 et 8 novembre. Suivez les publications de l’ICM pour plus de détails et visitez notre site web (accessible prochainement) à : www.cim.org/Symposium2011 Pour plus d’information, contactez : Chantal Murphy (ICM) : 1-800-667-1246

Chaire CRSNG Polytechnique - UQAT en environnement et gestion des rejets miniers

projet en vedette Le développement du projet sur la propriété d’Osisko près de Malartic, au Québec, a débuté en 2008. L’entreprise prévoit entamer l’exploitation de la mine au deuxième trimestre de 2011.

Un processus accéléré; de la découverte à la faisabilité à la production

De nombreux efforts doivent être déployés pour démarrer une exploitation minière d’envergure. Par contre, lorsque des gestionnaires qualifiés, la demande, des mécanismes de financement et l’approbation règlementaire tendent tous dans le même sens, la motivation pour aller de l’avant rapidement est forte. C’est particulièrement le cas pour la mine à ciel ouvert Canadian Malartic d’Osisko qui devrait commencer ses activités de production au second trimestre cette année. Selon Paul Johnson, directeur général des services techniques du projet, qui est situé à 20 kilomètres à l’ouest de Vald’Or, au sein d’une région abitibienne riche en or et propice

au forage : « Avec le cours de l’or qui est à un niveau record, nous déployons tous les efforts pour faire avancer le processus le plus rapidement possible. » M. Johnson poursuit en affirmant : « Notre équipe est composée de gens d’expérience et compte, avec les fondateurs d’Osisko, Sean Roosen, Robert Wares et John Burzynski, d’anciens dirigeants de Cambior, dont le directeur financier et vice-président Bryan Coates. Nous avons l’habitude de travailler ensemble dans des conditions difficiles. » Achetée par Iamgold en 2006, Cambior a exploité des mines au Québec, aux États-Unis et en Amérique du Sud, dont notamment la mine d’or à ciel ouvert de Rosebel au Suriname, laquelle fut mise en production en 2004. February 2011 | 49

projet en vedette Jusqu’à maintenant, les mains d’expérience de Cambior, dont celles de Paul Johnson, ont fait un travail remarquable. Selon les responsables de la compagnie, la construction du site minier de la Canadian Malartic, y compris les installations administratives, une zone de broyage, un broyeur et des épaississeurs, une aire de stockage des résidus et un « mur écologique » qui servira à abriter la ville avoisinante du site, ont progressé dans les délais prévus. De plus, la flotte de véhicules de production est sur place et les activités de préproduction vont de bon train.

Un redressement d’importance Osisko considère que le projet de la Canadian Malartic, qui a requis un investissement d’un milliard de dollars, sera le plus important projet du secteur privé du genre au Québec. D’ici 2012, cette opération entièrement financée et réglementée devrait produire 688 000 onces d’or. La production moyenne passera à 732 000 onces par année au cours des cinq premières années, tirée des quelque 60 000 tonnes de minerai extrait quotidiennement. Osisko a fait l’achat du site de la Canadian Malartic lorsque celui-ci est devenu disponible à la suite de la faillite de McWatters Mining en 2004. Deux ans plus tard, les résultats de sa campagne de forage ont valu aux dirigeants d’Osisko le titre de Prospecteur de l’année de l’Association de l’exploration minière du Québec, puis le titre de Prospecteur de l’année en 2008 de l’Association canadienne des prospecteurs et entrepreneurs, marquant ainsi le début d’une longue série d’accolades pour leur travail. Le gisement de minerai impressionnant de la Canadian Malartic inclut une réserve de 8,97 millions d’onces et une quantité estimée de 7,7 millions d’onces d’or récupérable. Le minerai produira une teneur moyenne de 1,13 gramme par tonne pendant les 12,2 années d’existence prévues de la mine. Près de 97 pour cent des ressources se trouvent à moins de 300 mètres de la surface.

Lorsqu’il faut agir vite La phase de développement du projet a commencé au début de l’année 2008 alors que les travaux d’exploration et de réglementation tiraient à sa fin. M. Johnson explique : « Nous avons travaillé en recourant à la méthode du chemin critique. Au lieu de faire une chose à la fois, nous avons tenté de faire plusieurs opérations à la fois dans la mesure du possible, afin d’accélérer le processus. » Selon Luc Lessard, vice-président de l’ingénierie et de la construction, également un ancien dirigeant de Cambior, la société a dû prendre de nombreuses décisions importantes tôt dans le processus. « La première question qui se posait était de savoir si nous devions développer le site nous-mêmes ou le vendre », affirme Luc Lessard. « Une fois que nous avons

50 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

convenu de continuer par nous-mêmes, nous devions déterminer s’il était nécessaire de recourir aux services d’une entreprise de gestion de projet pour superviser les travaux de construction. » « C’est à cette étape que l’expertise interne était cruciale, » comme l’explique le président et chef de la direction d’Osisko, Sean Roosen. « Nous avons décidé de voir à la gestion du projet nous-mêmes plutôt que d’opter pour la sous-traitance, car nous pouvions compter sur une équipe chevronnée et qualifiée de promoteurs miniers et d’opérateurs internes dirigée par Luc Lessard. Plusieurs éléments clés de Cambior se sont ajoutés, et ensemble, ils cumulent près de 120 années d’expérience. Des services d’ingénierie, d’approvisionnement, de construction et de gestion de projets auraient été synonymes de coûts supplémentaires de l’ordre de 25 à 40 pour cent. Cette ressource inestimable nous a aussi permis de gagner du temps puisque nous avons la maîtrise de notre propre destin et gérons nos échéanciers selon nos propres expériences. Une telle expérience profonde et une expertise sans égale sont monnaie courante au sein de l’équipe de gestion d’Osisko. » Selon Luc Lessard, dans la plupart des cas, les travaux ont été entamés aussitôt que possible : « Nous étions vraiment en mode accéléré. Nous avions identifié les ingénieurs que nous voulions approcher et effectué nos achats au préalable avant même que les études de préfaisabilité soient entièrement terminées », dit-il. « Ceci nous a mis dans une bonne position, puisqu’une fois l’étude de faisabilité terminée, nous étions prêts à démarrer. Le gouvernement du Québec a donné son approbation finale le 27 août 2009, et dès le lendemain, le ciment commençait à couler », a renchéri Luc Lessard. La compagnie devait également détailler et entamer les travaux de forage et de dynamitage de la mine. Des dispositions ont été prises pour installer des broyeurs à boulets ainsi qu’un énorme broyeur SAG de 11,5 mètres, dont il n’existe que deux en Amérique du Nord. Celui-ci nécessite un moteur d’une puissance de 26 000 chevaux. Les ingénieurs ont joué un rôle essentiel dans le processus, selon M. Lessard qui continue en soulignant les rôles clés joués par les sociétés Breton Banville et Associés (qui a contribué à la préparation des devis et à l’analyse du processus), Golder Associés (travaux de stabilité de la fosse), Genivar (infrastructures et bâtiments), et G. Mining, dirigé par Louis Gignac, un ancien président de Cambior, qui a conçu la fosse, les plans miniers et le modèle financier.

Faire équipe avec la communauté Pourtant, selon Jean-Sébastien David, vice-président du développement durable d’Osisko, la compagnie n’a jamais perdu de vue le fait que la Canadian Malartic n’aurait pas vu le jour sans un partenariat détaillé avec la communauté locale à propos de plusieurs questions.

projet en vedette Monsieur David précise : « Nous sommes de très proches voisins de la ville de Malartic. À quelques endroits, la mine n’est qu’à 90 mètres des limites de la ville. Nous avons donc dû prévoir et faire face aux défis inhérents à la mise en place d’une exploitation industrielle si près d’un quartier résidentiel. » En effet, pendant les premières études de préfaisabilité, il est rapidement devenu évident que pour effectuer les travaux de façon adéquate, soit presque tout le secteur sud de la ville de Malartic, y compris 205 maisons, devait être déplacé et reconstruit. Il en était de même pour une importante partie des infrastructures municipales, notamment un centre hospitalier en soins prolongés, une garderie, une école, un centre de formation aux adultes et un centre culturel/récréatif. La réinstallation est presque terminée; les résidants concernés se sont vu offrir une indemnité importante pour parer aux inconvénients de la situation. En tout, la compagnie a versé la somme de 144 millions de dollars pour les efforts d’aménagement communautaire, lesquels incluent diverses initiatives, dont un mur de terre érigé pour réduire le bruit, les odeurs et toute forme d’impact visuel négatif découlant de la proximité d’activités industrielles à grande échelle si près du centre de la ville. De plus, un toit a été construit pour recouvrir la fosse de stockage du minerai et ainsi réduire la quantité de poussière qui serait susceptible d’être soulevée au-dessus de la ville. La compagnie s’est aussi engagée à choisir un processus d’élimination de résidus épaissis et de nettoyer un bassin de décantation existant qui fut construit durant les opérations souterraines à l’ancienne mine Canadian Malartic, ainsi que trois autres bassins sur le site de 230 kilomètres carrés.

Trouver des fournisseurs Osisko a pris soin de choisir ses partenaires avec soin selon Monsieur Johnson : « Nous avons naturellement privilégié les fournisseurs de la région de l’Abitibi d’abord et avant tout, pour ensuite nous tourner vers ceux venant d’autres régions de la province. » Et il ajoute : « Ce faisant, non seulement avions-nous là l’occasion de redonner aux communautés dans lesquelles nous faisons des affaires, mais cette décision reflétait aussi une saine raison commerciale : les fournisseurs locaux sont plus susceptibles de connaître les défis que nous affrontons et de savoir comment y faire face. » Assurer le financement des équipements a constitué un élément crucial du processus selon Monsieur Johnson : « Malgré notre taille, nous sommes perçus comme un promoteur minier de petite envergure. Est-il besoin de dire que de prime abord, il fut difficile de convaincre les prêteurs de soutenir le projet. » Toutefois, c’est en avril 2008 que Caterpillar s’est révélé être un partenaire d’envergure, moment où l’entreprise a consenti à financer l’équipement de

la compagnie pour une valeur de 83 millions de dollars américains pour une période de cinq ans. Monsieur Roosen affirme qu’Osisko a établi le bien-fondé de sa démarche et que le constructeur OEM a réagi : « Ils ont pu constater que le projet était très viable et que nous disposions d’une équipe chevronnée pour le faire avancer. Nous avons toujours opté pour une approche prudente dans le calcul des ressources et des coûts, ainsi que dans l’estimation des besoins en capitaux. Notre équipe de gestion est également reconnue auprès des gens de Caterpillar pour avoir déjà collaboré sur des projets sous la direction de Cambior. » Monsieur Johnson ajoute que lorsque Caterpillar a convenu de les financer, leur crédibilité s’est accrue en tant que joueur d’importance dans l’industrie. En février, Osisko recevait 403 millions de dollars canadiens en financement, ce qui constitue selon Monsieur Roosen l’un des financements par capitaux propres les plus importants pour un petit promoteur minier. Alors qu’ils prenaient figure de « joueurs des grandes ligues », d’autres entreprises ont été reléguées au second plan en raison de la récession. Selon Monsieur Roosen, le choix du moment a eu des avantages : « En 2009, le coût des équipements et des matières consommables était en effet plus bas qu’en 2008, et la disponibilité de l’équipement et des entrepreneurs était supérieure à l’époque en raison de l’économie. Il a probablement été également plus facile de négocier de meilleurs contrats avec les fournisseurs et de dénicher une main-d’œuvre de qualité supérieure au sein d’un marché calme. Les coûts auraient été sûrement beaucoup plus élevés s’il n’y avait pas eu un tel ralentissement économique, quoique c’était principalement grâce à notre équipe de gestion qualifiée nous propulsant de l’avant que nous avons pu bénéficier de toute économie et parce que nous étions entièrement financés. » Le géologue Robert Wares est avec la compagnie depuis ses débuts, lorsqu’il a fondé Osisko Explorations en 1998. Aujourd’hui, Monsieur Wares agit au sein de l’équipe à titre de vice-président directeur et chef de l’exploitation. Ce dernier contribue à la mise en œuvre du projet et attend avec impatience sa réalisation : « Quel privilège que de compter parmi l’une des rares équipes d’exploration ayant mené un projet qui comprend toutes les étapes, depuis la phase de forage jusqu’aux lingots d’or! Il s’agit d’un processus unique et gratifiant, mais qui a également demandé des efforts acharnés et de longues journées. » Ceci étant dit, les dirigeants d’Osisko, toujours à l’affût de projets éventuels, ne limitent pas leurs efforts à la Canadian Malartic. En effet, la compagnie est déjà en pourparlers pour utiliser les revenus générés de ces opérations sur de nouvelles explorations et travaux préparatoires relatifs à ses gisements de Hammond Reef et Duparquet. ICM

February 2011 | 51

commodity focus

| tantalum

THE WORLD’S THIRSTIEST METAL by Dan Zlotnikov

Other uses for tantalum include as a component in superalloys for use in extreme environments such as jet engines and in the production of cemented carbide powders, which are then used to manufacture highstrength metalworking tools.

Photo courtesy of www.images-of-elements.com

Riding the tantalum cycle

antalum, hardly a household name, has become a near-ubiquitous presence in our lives, quietly making things smaller. Originally discovered in 1802 by Swedish chemist Anders Ekeberg, tantalum has an extremely high melting point — at 3,000ºC, it is the thirdhighest of all known metals — and very high strength and corrosion resistance. In fact, tantalum was so resistant to any acids Ekeberg immersed it in that the chemist named the metal after King Tantalus, the Greek mythological character cursed with eternal thirst. Tantalum’s resistance to harsh environments made it highly desirable as a protective coating in challenging conditions found inside chemical process equipment and nuclear reactors. But where this silvery-grey metal truly shone was in making extremely efficient electrical capacitors — the ones present in virtually every electronic device, from in-car electronics to cellphones to desktop computers. Tantalum enabled capacitors to be made smaller without sacrificing function, which translated into ever-smaller portable electronics. Today, says Alice Agoos, editor with the metals news and prices website Ryan’s Notes, over 60 per cent of the world’s annual tantalum production goes to capacitor manufacturers.

Tantalum’s widespread use has brought greater attention to the mineral — and to concerns regarding future supply. The Australian Wodgina Mine shut down production at the end of 2008, citing unsustainably low tantalum prices. The mine’s capacity at shutdown time was the equivalent of 483 metric tonnes of pure metal — over 40 per cent of the 1,170 tonnes the USGS reports to have been produced worldwide in the same year. Now, with the economic recovery continuing and the tantalum price starting to rise, there is an expectation that Wodgina will restart production soon, says Agoos, and that will ease supply concerns. But there is a catch. “The main users of tantalum, which are the capacitor makers, have the habit of basically panicking and overbuying, then taking a long while — and that’s really what happened the last three years — to work through the stocks of material that they had,” Agoos explains. “Once again, the capacitor manufacturers are beginning to buy and so they are going have all this stock, and at the same time, tantalum production is going to restart and we’re going to have a mess.”

Canada’s tantalum play Although some calming news may be on the horizon, adds Agoos, citing projections of decreased consumption in 2011 from the capacitor industry. “This may alleviate the supply picture a bit,” she says.

MINE PRODUCTION

2008

2009

Australia

557

560

Brazil

180

Canada

Congo

100

Rwanda

100

Other

188

180

1170

1160

Total (rounded) *tonnes

52 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

tantalum

Grove also highlights another promising development, the Crevier project in Quebec, a joint venture between MDN Mines and IAMGOLD. The Crevier project is currently in the final stages of a feasibility study, which the company expects be completed by the end of Q1 of 2011. The prospects for Canadian tantalum production are also improved by the lack of economically feasible deposits south of the border. Despite the lack of native tantalum production, the U.S. consumes significant amounts of the metal and is home to Cabot Corporation, one of the world’s premier tantalum processors and the owner of the formerly tantalum-producing TANCO Mine. In fact, says Grove, when Cabot ended tantalum production at TANCO, “they actually offered to us anything from the equipment bone yard of TANCO if it would help move our project ahead.” The reason for this generosity is pretty straightforward, Grove explains. “Cabot is a processor. Cabot needs feedstock, but Cabot only wants ethical feedstock.”

Ethics and politics Ethics are a significant focus when it comes to tantalum because it continues to play a role in one of the bloodiest conflicts of the past 50 years — the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The war has been raging since 1998, claiming over five million lives. The DRC is home to over 80 per cent of the world’s known deposits of coltan — a valuable mixture of niobium and tantalum — and both sides of the conflict have been using this mineral wealth to fund their military operations. The UN has denounced the rebels for using child and slave labour in the mining of coltan. The U.S. has recently taken a significant step in stemming the flow of conflict minerals out of the DRC, as part of the Dodd-Frank Act. The act introduces requirements for all companies who file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission and use minerals that can be sourced from the DRC to document the chain of custody for the minerals to demonstrate they did not originate in areas “under the control of armed groups.” The full extent of the legislation is not yet known, as the SEC is only expected to release the regulations in April of this year, but processors are already moving to secure non-DRC sources for their tantalum — and Canada fits the bill. CIM

M4S

A new hip alternative As well as the metal performs inside the combustion chamber of a jet engine, tantalum’s chemical inertness makes it a useful material to be used inside the human body. The metal does not corrode when exposed to bodily fluids, and it also boasts a very high biocompatibility – a measure of how well the host organism tolerates a material. Due to this quality, it has been used to make the electrodes of pacemakers. More recently, tantalum has also shown potential in orthopaedic applications. Made via vapour deposition, the tantalum implant is highly porous, with openings accounting for 70 to 80 per cent of the volume. The pores allow for the patient’s own bone tissue to grow into the implant, allowing for a much shortened healing time. Dr. Alan Nasar, a surgeon with the Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, writes that the use of the new “trabecular metal” implants allows the surgeon to eliminate bone cement which “can weaken and crack over time and generate The porous structure of an orthopaedic debris.” imme r Inc.

One of these is Commerce Resources’ Blue River project in B.C., which recently released the results of a NI 43-101 resource estimate by AMEC that shows an Indicated Resource of 36.35 million tonnes with a cutoff grade of 195 grams per tonne. “This is the confirmation of a much larger resource than we have ever established before,” says Chris Grove, the company’s director of corporate communications. “We are extremely excited by this new resource, which shows a better than 500 per cent increase in the Indicated Resource.”

• MINES • MINERALS • METALS • MATERIALS mining for society

Image court esy of Z

Canada’s role in tantalum production is fairly modest, especially since the country’s only tantalum mine, TANCO, ceased production of the metal in April 2009, after 40 years of operation. But a number of operators are hoping to change the picture, with some promising deposits under development.

| commodity focus

hip implant that includes tantalum

allows bone to attach quickly and Nasar concludes that provides long-term stability. “by eliminating bone cement from the implant, we can perform a simpler procedure that can last longer than the traditional cemented implantation” – an especially significant improvement when operating on younger or more physically active patients.

MAC economic commentary | COLUMNS

Rare earths: critical and strategic or the flavour of the month? ! Paul Stothart In political Ottawa, where parliamentarians can be exposed to dozens of different issues in an average week, it is not unusual for policy issues or media stories to acquire profiles based on a superficial level of understanding. This has happened in recent months in the mining sphere, for example, where many MPs supported flawed private member’s legislation regarding international activities of mining companies so as to not be perceived as “opposing social progress.” On a broader scale, much of the art of political communications seeks to capitalize on superficiality and is oriented around developing a simple, effective message and repeating it time and again. (Mining companies have communications lessons to learn on this front, although that is a subject for another day.) The same practice of applying simplistic analysis to interesting and complex policy issues may be occurring in the area of rare earth elements (REE), where the subject has acquired a high level of sex appeal among politicians in Europe, the United States and Canada in recent months. There are several developments that have contributed to this new heightened profile, although three are particularly relevant. 1. Commentators have become increasingly aware of the fact that China controls a high portion of the supply of the world’s processed rare earth minerals. While figures may vary among light and heavy REEs, the most commonly cited figure is that China produces 97 per cent of the world’s rare earths. 2. China has recently demonstrated that it would not be shy about restraining exports to protect its own interests. Related to a long-standing territorial dispute, a Japanese patrol boat boarded a Chinese fishing vessel in September 2010 and detained its captain. In retaliation, China has, in effect, embargoed REE exports to Japan. This

export restraint came on the heels of a Chinese announcement in mid-2010 that the country would be reducing global rare earth export quotas by 72 per cent in the second half of the year so as to protect its own supply chains. 3. Politicians in developed countries have begun to grasp the fact that rare earths are fundamental ingredients in telecom, defense and clean energy technologies; for example, radars, high-powered magnets, wind turbines, hybrid cars, laptops and iPhones all contain rare earth minerals. The combination of these factors has meant that a class of obscure minerals that no politician had heard of a few weeks previous quickly vaulted to the top of the list of the world’s critical strategic policy issues. The unique magnetic and spectroscopic properties

of obscure elements such as lanthanum, cerium and neodymium became the basis of high-level planning and policy analysis among governments of advanced countries. In this sense, a U.S. senator has recently introduced legislation proposing that tax revenues be used to build a national defense stockpile of rare earth metals. In June 2010, the European Commission highlighted potential shortages of REEs and recommended that the European Union should increase its support for exploration of strategic metals, including rare earths, and increase incentives for recycling. Within the mining industry, given the growth in consumer electronics and potential in green energy technologies, many companies are currently exploring rare earth potential in

SMS EquipmentÊÊ «À Û ìÃÊÊ ì` V>Ìi`ÊÊ v VÕÃÊÊ ÊÊ Ì iÊÊ ii`ÃÊÊ vÊÊ Ì iÊÊ Construction]ÊÊ Forestry]ÊÊ Mining industriesÊÊ > `ÊÊ UtilityÊÊ «À `ÕVÌÊÊ ÕÃiÀÃ°ÊÊ SMS EquipmentÊÊ Ü>ÃÊÊ VÀi>Ìi`ÊÊ Ì ÊÊ «À Û ìÊÊ VÕÃÌ iÀÃÊÊ Ü Ì ÊÊ Ìi}À>Ìi`ÊÊ Ã ÕÌ ÃÊÊ > `ÊÊ Ì ÊÊ iÝ«> `ÊÊ ÕÀÊÊ ÃiÀÛ ViÊÊ V>«>L Ì iÃÊÊ >ÃÊÊ >ÊÊ >Ì Ü ìÊÊ À}> â>Ì ° SMSÊÊ vviÀÃÊÊ Ì iÊÊ ÃÌÊÊ iÝÌi Ã ÛiÊÊ À> }iÊÊ vÊÊ «À `ÕVÌÃ]ÊÊ «>ÀÌÃÊÊ > `ÊÊ ÃiÀÛ ViÃÊÊ ÊÊ Ì iÊÊ `ÕÃÌÀÞ]ÊÊ >Û> >L iÊÊ Ì À Õ} ÊÊ >ÊÊ vÕ ÞÊÊ Ìi}À>Ìi`ÊÊ iÌÜ À ÊÊ >VÀ ÃÃÊÊ

> >`>° Highly qualified and dedicated people to support your productivity.

UÊ7iÃÌiÀ Ê,i} Ê\ÊÊ866 UÊÊ7iÃÌiÀ Ê,i} Ê\ÊÊ866 458-0101 UÊ >ÃÌiÀ Ê,i} Ê\ÊÊ800 UÊ >ÃÌiÀ Ê,i} Ê\ÊÊ800 881-9828 www.smsequip.com www.smsequip.com

February 2011 | 55

Upcoming 2011 Seminars NEW — Certification in Ore Reserve Risk and Mine Planning Optimization 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. Instructor: Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada • Date: TBD • City: Perth, Australia or Montreal, Canada • Info: www.mcgill.ca/conted/prodep/ore

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 available. Instructors: Cindy Tonkin, Gemcom, Australia, Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada, and Gerald Whittle, Whittle Consulting, Australia • Date: September 21-23, 2011 • City: Toronto

An Introduction to Cutoff Grade Estimation: Theory and Practice in Open Pit and Underground Mines 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: Jean-Michel Rendu, Executive Consultant, Snowden, Australia • Date: September 7-9, 2011 • City: Montreal

Geostatistical Mineral Resource/Ore Reserve Estimation and Meeting the New Regulatory Environment: Step by Step from Sampling to Grade Control 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, Jean-Michel Rendu, Executive Consultant, Snowden, Australia, and Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada • Date: September 1216, 2011 • City: Montreal

Mineral Project Evaluation Techniques and Applications: From Conventional Methods to Real Options Learn the basics of economic/financial evaluation techniques, as well as the practical implementation of these techniques to mineral project assessments, how to gain a practical understanding of economic/financial evaluation principles, and how to develop the skills necessary to apply these to support mineral project decisions. Instructor: Michel Bilodeau, McGill University, Canada • Date: October 24-27, 2011 • City: Montreal

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE COMITÉ ORGANISATEUR CIM PRESIDENT | PRÉSIDENT DE L’ICM Chris Twigge-Molecey

MINES WITHOUT BORDERS MINES SANS FRONTIÈRES

CIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | DIRECTEUR EXÉCUTIF DE L’ICM Jean Vavrek HONORARY CHAIR | PRÉSIDENT HONORAIRE François Pelletier GENERAL CHAIR | PRÉSIDENT DU CONGRÈS Martin Poirier SPONSORSHIP | COMMANDITES Jean Vavrek Terry Bowles TECHNICAL PROGRAM | PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE Richard Simon Chuck Edwards IRON ORE SYMPOSIUM | SYMPOSIUM SUR LE MINERAI DE FER Guy Saucier Serge Perreault FINANCE & MANAGEMENT DAY | JOURNÉE FINANCE ET GESTION MINIÈRE Jane Spooner Larry Smith

Montréal skyline from the Old Port Photo courtesy of Tourisme Montréal, Stéphan Poulin

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM PROGRAMME PRÉLIMINAIRE CONTENTS / CONTENU 80 80 80 86 88 89 90 91 92 92 92 93 94 95 96 97

Welcome Plenary Technical Program Women in Mining Forum Finance & Management Day Sponsors / Commanditaires Workshops M4S Field Trips Face to Face Student Program Social Program CIM Exhibition CIM Job Fair Guest Program Innovations Showcase / Innovations minières

WOMEN IN MINING FORUM | FORUM LES FEMMES EN EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE Catharine Shaw Sylvie Poirier FIELD TRIPS | EXCURSIONS Serge Perreault STUDENT PROGRAM | PROGRAMME DES ÉTUDIANTS Teresa Barrett Maureen McGuinness Nawfal El Mkadmi

102 Bienvenue 102 Séance plénière 102 Programme technique 104 Ateliers 105 Programme social 106 Excursions 106 Face à Face 106 Programme des étudiants 107 Programme des invités 108 M4S 109 Forum Les femmes en exploitation minière 109 Salon commercial de l’ICM 109 Foire de l’emploi de l’ICM

EVENT MANAGEMENT & FACE TO FACE | DIRECTION DE L’ÉVÉNEMENT ET FACE À FACE Lise Bujold CIM EXHIBITION & JOB FAIR | SALON COMMERCIAL ET DE L’EMPLOI DE L’ICM Martin Bell M4S – THE SHOW ON MINES, METALS, MINERALS & MATERIALS | LE SALON SUR LES MINES, MÉTAUX, MINÉRAUX ET MATÉRIAUX Michel Vachon Karine Robichaud MEETING COORDINATOR | COORDONNATRICE DE CONGRÈS Chantal Murphy REGISTRATION & CUSTOMER SERVICE | INSCRIPTION ET SERVICE À LA CLIENTÈLE Nadia Bakka

PLENARY SESSION

Photo courtesy of Ron Stern

Mines without borders

Palais des congrès de Montréal (Convention Centre)

! r u o j Bon

WELCOME TO MONTREAL

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to the CIM Conference & Exhibition 2011, taking place from May 22 to 25 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Following a hugely successful event in Vancouver last year, where we saw our industry come together in unprecedented numbers, we are planning an even bigger event in Montreal this coming year. It is an important time for our industry — economic issues, globalization, environmental stewardship and technology are at the forefront of discussions in boardrooms across the country, as well as around the world. Our 2011 technical program will address these key areas by drawing in over 6,000 participants who will network and exchange ideas with peers and business leaders alike. This is a unique opportunity to tap into a trillion-dollar global industry. The technical program features sessions on Projects, Best Practices, People & Business Management, Environmental & Social Responsibility, Innovation & Technology, Earth Science, and the Iron Ore Symposium. This year, two important themes will complement the range of topics included in the technical program: 1) “Grand Nord,” a government program that addresses mining challenges in the northern parts of the country, and 2) “La Francophonie,” targeting the French-speaking mining community, which includes several countries in Africa and around the globe. Additionally, CIM’s largest exhibition floor features more than 400 top industry equipment and service providers. The “Face to Face – The Mining Encounter” program will give mining executives and suppliers an exclusive setting for one-on-one discussions. New this year, conference goers will benefit from simultaneous translation throughout our program. Join us and add your voice to the thousands more who will come together to do business in this unique international setting. Sincerely, Martin Poirier General Chair

Hear from industry and community leaders about the challenges and opportunities they face, locally and globally, and gain insights into their experience and outlook on the future. Topics will cover challenges in finding and developing qualified staff globally, integrating supply chains, understanding the responsibilities of multinationals on cultural challenges, transparency, disclosure and governance/political risks. Moderator Stéphan Bureau, one of Quebec’s most prominent journalists, will lead a panel of industry giants in a discussion on the need for early development of strong community relations and demonstration of social responsibility in Canada and around the world. The panel will also discuss current hot topics of interest to mining industry and professionals.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM The latest technologies, updates on current operations and strategies to increase your company’s bottom line will be included in this year’s technical program. As an added feature, the characteristics of the Arctic will be featured in the second “diagonal track,” while CIM is also proud to include the 3rd Iron Ore Symposium — it is a packed program! We are taking full advantage of our host city’s bilingualism to reach out to the Francophone sector of our industry. Also, all Francophonie, Plan Nord and Iron Ore Symposium sessions offer simultaneous translation in both official languages. La Francophonie Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of mining in the 30+ countries where French is a key language, as well as how supply services firms, government and educational institutions operate outside of Canada, will directly impact the role of Canadian exploration and mining — which is why it is a pivotal area of this program. Plan Nord (Nordic Regions) The Government of Quebec’s Plan Nord concept focuses on a socially responsible and sustainable form of economic development. Sessions will explore topics specific to mining in northern regions, the challenges and opportunities involved in mining these areas, as well as working in remote/Arctic sites and alongside Aboriginal peoples. 3rd Iron Ore Symposium Iron ore production grew for seven consecutive years, from 2003 to 2008, due primarily to phenomenal economic growth in China. This trend reversed itself in the final months of 2008, and most of 2009 was characterized by a steep decline in production as iron ore prices plummeted as a result of the global economic downturn. During this time as well, the industry witnessed the breakdown of annual iron ore price-setting negotiations between the three major producers and steelmakers — a tradition that dated back 40 years. Since 2009 — after 30 years of iron ore mine closures in North America and northern Europe — many large and small mining companies have new iron ore development projects in the works. The year 2010 marked the beginning of a new era of quarterly negotiations for setting the price of iron ore. This symposium will offer topical discussion forums for professionals from public and private companies, as well as government, academia and research centres around the world. It will also provide a unique networking opportunity to meet key players, discuss critical issues and to obtain technical advice from those working in the field.

www.cim.org/montreal2011

CIM — A COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE PROJECTS

BEST PRACTICES

PEOPLE & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

ENVIRONMENT

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

MON AM 9:00 – 11:30

PLENARY

NOON – 2:00

LUNCHEON ON TRADE SHOW FLOOR

MON PM 2:00 – 4:15

TUES AM 8:30 – 10:00

PLAN NORD Agnico-Eagle: Mining practices for the growing multinational corporation

Exploration Advanced Prefeasibility

Energy Management

PLAN NORD Logistics

FRANCOPHONIE Workforce Planning

Collaboration to Overcome HR Challenges

10:00 – 10:30

TUES AM 10:30 – NOON

Environment Plenary

Sustainability & Environment

FRANCOPHONIE Community Successes

Health & Safety

CSR 101: Understanding CSR Expectations and CMIC – Baseline Practices Case Studies & CSR Good Practices and Lessons Learned

MINEX SUCCESS

IRON ORE SYMPOSIUM

Geology I – Lithium, Phosphate and Potash Resources

Iron Ore Resources: a Global Review

Innovations in Rock Engineering I

Iron Ore Resources: Key Projects in Development

Geology II – Rare Metal Resources I

Mining Operations

COFFEE BREAK

Mines in Development

Maintenance & Reliability

PLAN NORD The Osisko Story (Part 1): FRANCOPHONIE Exemplary Environment Leadership and Innovation

NOON – 2:00

CSR 102: Raising the CSR Bar

Mine Planning & Management Systems

LUNCHEON ON TRADE SHOW FLOOR

TUES PM 2:00 – 4:15

Mines in Action

FRANCOPHONIE The Osisko Story (Part II): A New Set of Best Practices

Shareholders (NI 43-101)

Reclamation & Closure

Water & Human Rights

WED AM 8:30 – 10:00

FRANCOPHONIE Regional Economic Development

New Concepts in Mine Operations

FINANCE & MANAGEMENT DAY Opportunities in Non-traditional Financing

Waste Management (M3)

Supporting Excellence in CSR

CSR Case Studies: Executing in Complex Jurisidictions

10:00 – 10:30

WED AM 10:30 – NOON

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

SMART Innovations Surface Mining in Rock Advanced Engineering Research II Technologies

Concentration & Pelletizing I

PLAN NORD

Geology III – Ore Deposits Related to Mafic Intrusions

Iron Ore Plenary I

New Developments in Advanced Systems and Technologies for Mining

Innovations in Rock Engineering III

Iron Ore Plenary II

COFFEE BREAK

Geology IV Rare Metal Resources II

Engineering, Maintenance & Reliability

FINANCE & MANAGEMENT DAY Traditional Financing

NOON – 2:00

WED PM 2:00 – 5:00

PLAN NORD Environment

CLOSING LUNCH

FINANCE & MANAGEMENT DAY Essentials to Financing & Panel Session

Concentration & Pelletizing II

MONDAY • 2:00 PM Projects Plan Nord — Agnico-Eagle: Mining practices for the growing multinational corporation

Complex underground mega-blast initiated successfully by Electronic Blasting System in urban areas Marc Moffette, Jean-François Lagueux, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited: Goldex Division, and André Pomerleau, Orica Canada

Chairs: Daniel Racine, Senior Vice-President, Operations, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited and Carol Plummer, General Manager, Expansion Project: Kittila

Implementing safe production at Agnico-Eagle’s Kittila mine Jean Béliveau, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited: Kittila Division

LaRonde extension: mine design at 3 km Pascal Larouche, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited: LaRonde Division

Agnico-Eagle - Pinos Altos mine: challenges of mining in the Sierra Madre Mountains Luis Felipe Medina, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited Mexico

Challenges at Agnico-Eagle’s Lapa mine Frédéric Mercier-Langevin, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited: Lapa Division

www.cim.org/montreal2011

Agnico-Eagle – Meadowbank mine: environmental challenges North of 60 Stéphane Robert, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited: Meadowbank Division

February 2011 | 81

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

Panelists confirmed to date: • Justine Laurie-Lean, Mining Association of Canada (MAC) • Louise Laverdure, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Green Mining Initiative • Bob MacDonald, ECBC, Devco Mine Site Closure Program

Best Practices Energy Management Chair: Mel Harju, Energy Advisor, Maxemiser Energy Services Ventilation-on-Demand control systems — impact on energy savings and air quality Marc Boudreau, SEC Mine de fer du Lac Bloom, Cheryl Allen, Vale, and André Dumais, Bestech Assessing the value of Ventilation-on-Demand — collaborative research results Glenn Lyle, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) Using gas monitoring and personnel & vehicle tracking to maximize the benefits of Ventilation-on-Demand in underground mining operations Dave McCullough, Tanveer Jahir, Jian Zhao, Mohamed H. Mohammed and John David (Dave) McCullough, Conspec Controls Limited Application of VOD software for the heat recovery calculations in mines Hugo Dello Sbarba, Université Laval, Andrew Dasys, Objectivity, and Glenn Lyle and Keith Bullock, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)

Social Responsibility Francophonie — Community Successes Chair: Stephen Naire, Managing Director, Lundin for Africa Foundation Learn how mining companies working with government and community groups results in access to electricity for families, installation and repair of fresh water wells, financial support and the establishment of local small businesses — all in accordance with economic, social and cultural guidelines respective to each individual country.

Innovation & Technology Health & Safety

Enabling advanced energy management practices for mineral operations Dean Millar, Laurentian University, and Glenn Lyle and Keith Bullock, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)

Chair: Victor V. Pakalnis, Professor, Queen’s University

People & Business Management

Astid — the impact of real-time intervention to prevent driver sleepiness Ian Thomas, Fatigue Management International

Francophonie — Work Force Planning

The seven delusions in disaster-prone organizations Corrie Pitzer, SAFEmap International

Chair: Chris Stafford, President, C.J. Stafford & Associates Session description and abstracts not available at time of publication.

Improving safety with GPS-based proximity detection Casey Erickson, Paul Tenhet and Kiley Zacharias, Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc.

Integrated proximity detection Lucas van Latum, Modular Mining Systems Inc.

Environment

MinEx Success

Environment Plenary Chairs: Janice M. Zinck, Manager, Mine Waste Management and Footprint Reduction (Processing) Program, Bryan Tisch, Senior Environmental Scientist, CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories (MMSL), and Dave Forrester, Senior Mining Engineer – Environment, AECOM Tecsult Inc. Prominent speakers from the Canadian mining community will present on best practices, trends and issues in mining environmental management. A brief panel discussion will follow the presentations.

Geology I — Lithium, Phosphate and Potash Resources Chairs: Michelle Stone, Vice-President – Exploration, and Mark N.J. Ashcroft, President & CEO, Stonegate Agricom Limited Quebec Lithium Project Charles Taschereau, Canada Lithium Corporation Development of the Saskatchewan potash mines Mike Mayhew and Vern Evans, Stantec Consulting Paris Hills Phosphate Project Michelle Stone, Jim P. Geyer and Mark N.J. Ashcroft, Stonegate Agricom Limited The Mantaro Phosphate Deposit, Peru Michelle Stone, Pedro Olivares, Graham A. Spiers and Mark N.J. Ashcroft, Stonegate Agricom Limited

Iron Ore Symposium Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

Iron Ore Resources: A Global Review

82 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Chair: Serge Perreault, Senior Geologist, SOQUEM Inc. The North American iron ore industry — a decade into the 21st century John Jorgenson, U.S. Geological Survey Minnesota — providing sustainable iron ore for the North American steel industry Peter Clevenstine, MN DNR Iron ore — Canada’s global position Michel Dumont, IM & Iron Ore, Natural Resources Canada The iron ranges of Western Labrador: a cornerstone of economic growth and a vast resource for the future Andrew Kerr, Geological Survey, and John Clarke, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Picture of the iron ore industry in Québec Denis Blackburn and Denis Raymond, Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife of Québec

www.cim.org/montreal2011

CIM — A COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

TUESDAY • 8:30 AM Projects

Social Responsibility (A)

Exploration Advanced Prefeasibility

CSR 101: Understanding CSR Expectations and Baseline Practices

Chair: Brigitte Dejou, Senior Geological Engineer, Osisko Mining Corporation The Matoush Project: the first five years of an exceptional uranium project in the Otish Basin Jonathan Lafontaine, Strateco Resources The Hammond Reef Gold Deposit Anne Charland, Osisko Mining Corporation

Chair: Bernard Aubé, Service Lead, Water Treatment, AMEC This session provides a practical and differentiated overview of CSR management during the phases of exploration, construction and operation.

Social Responsibility (B)

The Scott Lake Project: geology and development of a polymetallic deposit in the Chibougamau area Gérald Riverin and Tony Brisson, Cogitore Resources Inc.

CSR Good Practices and Lessons Learned Chair: Alistair Kent, Project Manager Three CSR papers will be presented to the audience, which cover a range of international and Canadian CSR perspectives on good practices and lessons learned, with time for questions and audience feedback.

A new mine for Ontario Laurie Gaborit, Detour Gold Corporation

Best Practices

Innovation & Technology

Plan Nord — Logistics Session description and abstracts not available at time of publication.

CMIC — Case Studies

People & Business Management

Chair: Thomas Hynes, Executive Director, Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC)

Collaboration to Overcome HR Challenges Chair: Alana Kennedy, Director, Marketing & Communications, MiHR Council Innovative HR practices and initiatives will be showcased in an interactive format that is not just informative, but will demonstrate how your organization can start to implement some of these initiatives and strategies. Senior human resources leaders will take you into their organizations, share their stories, answer questions on their approach, and encourage other companies to do the same.

Exploration Innovation Consortium — an initiative of the Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC) Francois Robert, Barrick Gold Corporation, and Richard Tosdal, Canada Mining Innovation Council Re-thinking underground hard rock mining Alex Henderson, Vale An oil sands tailings research initiative Gordon Winkel, University of Alberta, and Alan Fair, Syncrude Canada Limited

MinEx Success

Environment Sustainability & Environment

Innovations in Rock Engineering I

Chair: Bernard Aubé, Service Lead, Water Treatment, AMEC

Chairs: Denis Thibodeau, Strategic Rock Mechanics Manager, Vale, and Hani Mitri, Professor, McGill University

Developing a consistent remedial approach for the Cape Breton Development Corporation Mine Closure Program Belinda Campbell, Public Works & Government Services Canada Investigation of cause for MMER using Hyalella Azteca: results from the Birchtree mine Karen Munro and Malcolm Stephenson, Stantec, and Dave McDonald, Vale A river-protection approach to deriving site-specific water-quality guidelines for heavy metals in mitigation planning for an industrial site Glenn Barr, Mike McKernan and David Huebert, Stantec Consulting Limited Mine water management — challenges, technology and solutions Graham Sim, GE Water & Process Technologies

The Deep Mining Research Consortium — update 2011 Charles B. Graham, CAMIRO Mining Division, and Graham Swan, Graham Swan Rock Mechanics and Mine Design A “multiple front” research approach to addressing risk in highly stressed ore bodies Damien Duff, Benoit Valley, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) Numerical modelling of mining-induced stress and microseismic response using FLAC3D Shahe Shnorhokian and Hani Mitri, McGill University, and Denis Thibodeau, Vale Innovative engineering approach to the stabilization of rock masses in high-stress conditions Francois Charette, Dynamic Rock Support NA, and Charlie C. Li, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Iron Ore Symposium Iron Ore Resources: Key Projects in Development Chairs: Daniel Gagnon, Manager, Mining Group, Met-Chem Canada Inc., and Guy Saucier, Vice-President Mining and Mineral Processing, Roche Limited A new player in the Labrador Trough Nicole Velcic and Matt Simpson, Alderon Resource Corp. New Millennium: Canada’s emerging global iron ore producer Biswajit Chanda and Robert Martin, New Millennium Capital Corp. A new DSO iron ore producer in Labrador John F. Kearney, Canadian Zinc Corporation

www.cim.org/montreal2011

February 2011 | 83

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

TUESDAY • 10:30 AM Projects

Drum hoists — case study Gordon Scott, DavyMarkham Limited

Mines in Development

Automated shovel tooth wear monitoring with machine vision Matthew Baumann, Shahram Tafazoli and Mehran Motamed, Motion Metrics Int’l Corp.

Chair: Pierre Bertrand, General Director, SOQUEM Inc. Le projet Sept-Îles : un gisement d’apatite en développement François Biron, Mine Arnaud Mise en valeur par les Mines Opinaca du projet aurifère Éléonore Guy Belleau, Les Mines Opinaca The Renard Diamond Project Patrick Godin, Stornoway Diamonds Corporation Découverte et développement du gisement aurifère Canadian Malartic Robert Wares, Osisko Mining Corporation

Advanced gear inspection Tom Shumka, Global Inspections-NDT, Inc.

People & Business Management Plan Nord — The Osisko Story (Part I): Exemplary Leadership and Innovation Chair: Chris Stafford, President, C.J. Stafford & Associates

Best Practices

Building a leading new gold company — the Osisko Story Sean Roosen, Osisko Mining Corporation

Maintenance & Reliability

Recruiting and developing a new team for the Canadian Malartic Project Robert Mailhot, Osisko Mining Corporation

Chair: B.F. (Ben) Kubica, President, J.F. Comer Inc. Drum hoisting in North America — approach to design Mike Robotham, DavyMarkham Limited

Financing the $1 billion Canadian Malartic Project in a challenging economic environment Bryan Coates and Andre Le Bel, Osisko Mining Corporation

Environment Francophonie — Environment Chair: Michel Julien, Main Associate, Golder Associates Limited The Mauritania experience in environment in the mining sector: 19992010 Yolaine le Beau, Tecsult Environnement Bureau de Montréal Inc.

Social Responsibility CSR 102: Raising the CSR Bar Chairs: Lee Nehring, Vice-President, Sustainability, Xstrata Nickel, and Joseph Peter Ringwald, Director, Belmont Resources Inc. This session adds more depth into the CSR dialogue and provides audience members with the opportunity to learn more about increasing the focus on sustainability, as well as continuous improvement of the execution of CSR practice.

Innovation & Technology Mine Planning & Management Systems Chair: Greg Lanz, Manager, Sales and Marketing Services, Modular Mining Systems The use of dispatch position and velocity data to enhance haul truck optimization Christopher Langmead and Jonathan Werner, Suncor Energy Inc. Challenges with transparency — the need for change management in implementing mine management and tracking systems Robert McCarthy, Snowden Group Simulation modelling for a truck and shovel dispatching system in open pit mining Tomoyasu Ishikawa, Kazuo Suzuki and Yoshiyuki Higuchi, Fukushima University, Hiroshi Ogura, Katsuaki Tanaka, Kazuhiro Sugawara and Teruo Nakamura, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Limited Optimizing open pit/underground cut over Anthony Finch, Snowden Mining Industry Consultants

84 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

www.cim.org/montreal2011

CIM — A COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

MinEx Success Geology II — Rare Metal Resources I Chairs: David Lentz, Economic Geology Chair, University of New Brunswick, and Tassos Grammatikopoulos, Senior Process Mineralogist, SGS Canada Inc. Rare earth resources: an overview David Lentz, University of New Brunswick Mesoproterozoic rare-earth element deposits of the Labrador Shield: an overview of the geological context, mineralization and exploration potential Andrew Kerr, Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador

Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

Strange Lake: an overview of geology, mineralization and alteration of Quest Rare Minerals’ B Zone Patrick Collins, Quest Rare Minerals The geology of the Nechalacho Heavy Rare Earth and Rare Metal Deposit, Thor Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada William Mercer, Jens Chris Pedersen, Dave Trueman and Finley Bakker, Avalon Rare Metals Inc.

Iron Ore Symposium Mining Operations Chairs: Daniel Gagnon, Manager, Mining Group, Met-Chem Canada Inc., and Guy Saucier, Vice-President, Mining and Mineral Processing, Roche Limited Essar Steel Minnesota LLC — status update Steve Rutherford and Ted Anderson, Essar Steel Minnesota

TUESDAY • 2:00 PM Projects Mines in Action

People & Business Management

Chair: André Roy, Business Development - Mining and Mineral Processing, Roche Limited

Chair: Gregory John Gosson, Technical Director, Geology & Geostatistics, AMEC

Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan Operation — exciting new projects Kenny Cheong and Mélanie Côté, Xstrata Nickel - Mine Raglan

Inclusion of Inferred Mineral Resources in economic analyses Gregory John Gosson, AMEC

Mining innovations at the McArthur River Operation James F. Hatley, David Bronkhorst, Greg Murdock and Kevin Quesnel, Cameco Corporation

Environment

Mines Aurizon Ltée : Casa Berardi et bien plus! Martin Bergeron, Mines Aurizon Ltée

Best Practices The Osisko Story (Part II): A new set of best practices Chair: Jean Vavrek, Executive Director, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Canadian Malartic — fast tracking a project from feasibility to production Luc Lessard, Osisko Mining Corporation

Shareholders (NI 43-101)

Reclamation & Closure Chairs: Bruno Bussière, Professor, Université du Québec en AbitibiTémiscamingue, and Bryan Tisch, Senior Environmental Scientist, CANMET-MMSL, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Closure planning guiding principles: using 10 years of hindsight from the CBDC Mine Closure Program Joseph MacPhee, Public Works Government Services Canada Creating resilient ecosystems on sterile mining residue Steve Lalancette, Centre Jardin Lac Pelletier

Gaining the legal and social licenses to operate the Canadian Malartic Project — a case study for permitting mining projects in Quebec Jean Sébastien David, Osisko Mining Corporation

Biodiversity conservation management — what nature has in store for the industry Christian Matossian and Paul MacLean, EEM Inc., and Eric Muller, TERRA Geographical Studies Inc.

Mining in town: the Canadian Malartic approach Paul Johnson, Osisko Mining Corporation

Reclaiming the other half of the Athabasca Oil Sands Glenn Barr and Carol Jones, Stantec Consulting Limited

Design and equipment selection approach for the Canadian processing plant Denis Cimon, Osisko Mining Corporation

Biodegradable drilling fluids as fertilizers in soil reclamation: experience at the La Bodega Project, Colombia B. Stella Frias, Ventana Gold Corp., and Paulo A. Rueda, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Bucaramanga

www.cim.org/montreal2011

February 2011 | 85

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

WOMEN IN MINING FORUM

Social Responsibility Water & Human Rights Chair: Lee Nehring, Vice-President, Sustainability, Xstrata Nickel The CEO Water Mandate, a collaborative initiative between the United Nations Global Compact, government and business leaders, is the starting point for an afternoon simulation exercise for participants to guide them through the challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining and supporting the human right to potable water on a global scale. After a brief presentation and dialogue on the Water Mandate and other related international standards and principles, participants will break into small groups to work through simulation cases that will provide them with the opportunity to explore risk management and CSR challenges within the context of this emerging and material global concern.

Tuesday, May 24 Forum: 3:00 to 5:00

Pushing the boundaries This year’s Women in Mining Forum explores how women from all facets of the minerals industry are helping to break down the barriers to full inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated industry. A lineup of panelists will share personal and professional accounts of their journeys to overcome conventional limitations and create a new face on the mining front. This is a not-to-be-missed event for women and men alike.

Innovation & Technology

Cost: Included in the full conference delegate registration fee (a separate $50 registration fee applies to visitors to the CIM Exhibition, exhibitor staff, one-day conference delegates and workshop(s) attendees only and includes the reception.

SMART — Surface Mining Advanced Research Technologies Chair: Christopher Langmead, Manager, Operations Engineering – Mining, Suncor Energy Inc. Technology development in Shell’s oil sands tailings management Paul Graham, Jonathan Matthews, Nav Dhadli and Peter House, Shell Canada Limited

Leanne Hall

MinEx Success

Stope stability monitoring at the Goldex mine Patrick Frenette, Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited A new rock stress factor for the stability graph method Rory Hughes and Hani Mitri, McGill University, and Benny Zhang, AMEC Americas Limited Stability of pillars and tabular excavations under shear loading conditions Fidelis Suorineni, MIRARCO/Geomechanics Research Centre, Peter K. Kaiser, CEMI, Joseph Juma Mgumbwa, School of Engineering, Laurentian University, and Reginald Dhelda Mfanga Fine-tuning raisebore stability assessments and risk Ben Coombes, Warren Arthur Peck and Max Frank Lee, AMC Consultants Pty Limited

Iron Ore Symposium Concentration & Pelletizing I Chairs: Michel Garant, Director Technology – Ferrous Sector, Corem, and Stephanie Gourde, Project Manager – Mining and Mineral Processing, Roche Limited

Photo courtesy of www.mikawaa.com

Innovations in Rock Engineering II Chairs: Rimas T. Pakalnis, Professor, University of British Columbia, and James F. Archibald, Professor, Queen’s University

Reception: 5:00 to 7:00 A reception will follow the Women in Mining Forum, featuring keynote speaker Leanne Hall, Vice-President Human Resources, Noront Resources Ltd., who will deliver an inspiring presentation entitled Women of the Ring of Fire. Although admission to the forum is free for full conference delegates, there is a $25 fee for the reception.

Reducing both fuel consumption and GHG emissions: a retrofit concept for a Dravo-Lurgi iron ore induration furnace Bruce R. Clements, R. Pomalis, L. Zheng and T. Herage, CANMET ENERGY, and E. Godin, ArcelorMittal Biomass as fuel and reductant for iron ore and smelting processes Reza Naghash, Iron Ore Company of Canada Taking control of the burners, a motivation for the ArcelorMittal Mines Canada Pellet Plant personnel Gaétan J. Lavoie, ArcelorMittal IOC’s best practice in improving pellet quality and its focus on concentrate expansion Rénard Chaigneau, Rio Tinto LKAB Green Pellets Dan Hallberg, Anna Dahlstedt, Christian Fredriksson and Bo Lindblom, LKAB

86 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

WEDNESDAY • 8:30 AM Projects Francophonie — Regional Economic Development Chair: Martin Poirier, Corporate Manager - HME, Semafo Inc. Learn about the processes to reach partnerships with foreign governments, as did Semafo Inc. with that of Burkina Faso, Africa. Presenter confirmed to date : • Ugo Landry-Tolszczuk, Operations Manager, SEMAFO Energy Inc.

www.cim.org/montreal2011

CIM — A COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

Best Practices New Concepts in Mine Operations Chair: Tony George, Vice-President Development, Lucara Diamond Corp. Overburden mining improvements at Suncor Energy’s Millennium mine Craig Simpson, Douglas Lacey and Tim Dreger, Suncor Energy In-pit crushing and conveying — fitting a square peg in a round open pit Robert McCarthy, Snowden Group The use of a wiki format to compile mine design knowledge Glenn David Lyle, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), Steve McKinnon, Queen’s University, and George McIssac and Andrew Dasys, Objectivity, Inc. Using high-precision GPS applications to meet truck-level ore blending requirements in the oil sands Glen Trainor, Wenco International Mining, and Loyd Wheating, CNRL

Environment Waste Management (M3) Chair: Michel Aubertin, Professor, École Polytechnique de Montréal The role of slurry consolidation modelling in mine tailings planning Gord Pollock, AMEC Earth & Environmental Modelling effectiveness of covers for tailings closure — case studies Lindsay Robertson, Pamela Fines and Len M. Murray, Klohn Crippen Berger Limited Environmental relevance of the leachate potential for dry storage of delayed coke Patrick Sean Wells and Joseph Fournier, Suncor Energy Inc. - Oil Sands Procedures for assessing flow capacity and seepage face patterns of linear deposits of mine waste Ali Roshanfekr and David Hansen, Dalhousie University

Social Responsibility Supporting Excellence in CSR Chair: Normand Champigny, Senior Consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers A panel of speakers from the federal government, non-governmental organizations, industry and the federal CSR Counselor will provide their perspectives on how best to develop and support excellence in CSR, with the aim of provoking a spirited, constructive debate between the panel and members of the audience.

Geology and exploration: an overview of the Voisey’s Bay Ni-Cu-Co deposits of the Vale Newfoundland and Labrador operations Dawn Evans-Lamswood, Vale

Iron Ore Symposium Iron Ore Plenary I Chairs: Serge Perreault, Senior Geologist, SOQUEM Inc., and Guy Saucier, VicePresident, Mining and Mineral Processing, Roche Limited The plenary session will present a panel of experts drawn from iron ore producers, as well as local and international steelmakers who will generate lively discussions on the following topics: 1) What will be the impact of the arrival of new players in the market? 2) Will they have an influence on the new iron ore price agreement between producers and steelmakers? and 3) Who will benefit the most from the relinquishment of annual iron ore price agreements, after 40 years of reliance on this practice by steelmakers and mining companies?

WEDNESDAY • 10:30 AM Projects Geology IV — Rare Metal Resources II Chairs: David Lentz, Economic Geology Chair, University of New Brunswick, and Tassos Grammatikopoulos, Senior Mineralogist, SGS Canada Inc. Exploration of the Clay-Howells magnetite-rich REE-Nb carbonatite, northern Ontario Reginald Felix, Rare Earth Metals Inc, and David Lentz, University of New Brunswick Geology of the Gallinas Mountains Ree Deposit, Lincoln and Torrance counties, New Mexico, USA: preliminary report Virginia McLemore, New Mexico Bureau of Geology, and Malcolm Bucholtz, Strategic Resources Exploration strategy for the REE-Y-Nb mineralization in the peralkalic Welsford Intrusive Complex, southern New Brunswick Alex Smith and David Lentz, University of New Brunswick Quantitative characterization of the rare earth element minerals by QEMSCAN for geological and metallurgical applications Tassos Grammatikopoulos, Chris Gunning and Sarah Prout, SGS Canada Inc.

Innovation & Technology Plan Nord

MinEx Success Geology III — Ore Deposits Related to Mafic Intrusions Chairs: Garth Kirkham, President, Kirkham Geosystems Limited, and Christopher Davis, Senior Geologist and Project Manager, Vale An overview of the mines and Ni-Cu-PGE-Au deposits of the Vale Ontario operations (Part 1) Christopher Raymond Davis, Vale An overview of the mines and Ni-Cu-PGE-Au deposits of the Vale Ontario operations (Part 2) Christopher Raymond Davis, Vale Geology and mines exploration: an overview of the Ni sulphide deposits of the Vale Thompson, Manitoba operations Graeme Gribbin, Vale

www.cim.org/montreal2011

Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

Chair: To be confirmed Session description and abstracts not available at time of publication.

February 2011 | 87

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

Best Practices Engineering, Maintenance & Reliability Chair: Charles E. (Ted) Knight, Regional Manager, Risk & Reliability, Hatch

Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

Achieving reliability from data at Cerrejón Coal Murray Wiseman, OMDEC, Daming Lin, LivingReliability Inc., and Gerardo Vargas and Juan Carlos Consuegra, Cerrejon A comparison of operational risk assessment and reliability-centered maintenance Doug Stretton, PricewaterhouseCoopers Evolving equipment health, a Rio Tinto case study Daniel Adams, Rio Tinto Scale of use of diesel-powered mobile equipment in selected Quebec metal mines Jacek Paraszczak and Alan Béland, Université Laval, and Marcel Laflamme, CANMET-MMSL

Environment Plan Nord — Environment Chair: Michael Nahir, Manager, Engineering Services, Indian and Northern Affairs Kemess South mine closure and reclamation Georgia Lysay, Northgate Minerals Corporation, Jennifer McConnachie and Carolyn Johns, Kemess Mine, and Jordan Evans, Thompson Rivers University

Innovation & Technology

Project design through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Matthew Pickard, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation, and Stephen Williamson Bathory, Qikiqtani Inuit Association

New Developments in Advanced Systems and Technologies for Mining

An open pit mine and the relocation of a neighbourhood: the experience of Osisko Mining Corporation in Malartic, Quebec Julien Rivard, AECOM Tecsult Inc., and Hélène Thibault, Osisko Mining Corporation

Chair: Laura Mottola, Director, Business Improvement, Quadra FNX Mining Limited Autonomous mine haulage — the intangible business case Anthony Cook, Modular Mining Systems

Covers in the North Joanne Petrini, AECOM Tecsult Inc.

Considerations of clean diesel and alternative energies for underground production vehicles Marc Bétournay, Mahe Gangal, Brent Rubeli and Pierre Laliberté, CANMETMMSL, Karim Zhaghib, Institut de recherche d’Hydro-Québec, and Andrei V. Tchouvelev, A.V. Tchouvelev & Associates Inc.

Social Responsibility CSR Case Studies: Executing in Complex Jurisdictions Chair: Normand Champigny, Senior Consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers This session will present three significant CSR case studies from three different jurisdictions and is intended to be the practical culmination of this year’s CSR track. At the end of this session, audience members should come away with greater awareness on how to better manage CSR-related issues from both strategic and tactical perspectives.

Experiments in real-time map-based underground global positioning Joshua A. Marshall, Queen’s University, and Stefan Radacina Rusu and John Hayes, Carleton University Automation for process control and lean mining Laura Mottola, Quadra FNX Mining Limited, and Malcolm Scoble, University of British Columbia

FINANCE & MANAGEMENT DAY Organized by the CIM Management and Economics Society

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 8:20

Opening Remarks

Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

OPPORTUNITIES IN NON-TRADITIONAL FINANCING

88 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Chair: Jane Spooner, Vice-President, Micon International Limited 8:30 A new world for mine financing: new opportunities including royalties David Harquail, Franco-Nevada Corporation 9:00 Financing using equity lines of credit Pierre Soulard, Ogilvy Renault 9:30 Financing alternatives in challenging environments Gordon Bogden and George Mihaleto, Gryphon Partners 10:00 Networking break

TRADITIONAL FINANCING Chair: Larry D. Smith, Senior Manager of Project Evaluations & Strategic Analysis, Barrick Gold Corporation 10:30 Bank loans, independent engineer’s role, completion tests Jeff Stufsky, BNP Paribas

www.cim.org/montreal2011

CIM — A COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

MinEx Success

SPONSORS | COMMANDITAIRES

Innovations in Rock Engineering III

PREMIER

Chairs: Damien Duff, R&D Program Director, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), and John Henning, Senior Rock Mechanics Engineer, Goldcorp Inc. Lidar geotechnical mapping for the construction of deep underground science and engineering laboratory at the former Homestake mine Zbigniew Hladysz, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Steven Otto and Kevin Hachmeister, Golder Associates Limited, Carolyn Randolph-Loar, Lachel and Associates, Scott Schiele, Maptek, Inc., Thomas Trancynger, Sanford Laboratory, and Randy Deibert, Four Front Design Inc. Numerical analysis of the early response of paste backfill in underground mine stopes Michel Aubertin, École Polytechnique de Montréal Backfill practice at Copper Cliff North Mine (CCNM) Mehdi Razavi, Enrique Isagon and Steve Townend, Vale

DIAMOND | DIAMANT

Measuring blast fragmentation by analyzing shovel bucket contents Edmond Chow, Hairong Zeng and Shahram Tafazoli, Motion Metrics International

Iron Ore Symposium Iron Ore Plenary II Chairs: Serge Perreault, Senior Geologist, SOQUEM Inc., and Guy Saucier, VicePresident Mining and Mineral Processing, Roche Limited The plenary session will present a panel of experts drawn from iron ore producers and local and international steelmakers who will generate discussions on the following topics: 1) What will be the impact of the arrival of new players in the market? 2) Will they have an influence on the new iron ore price agreement between producers and steelmakers? and 3) Who will benefit the most from the relinquishment of annual iron ore price agreements, after 40 years of reliance on this practice by steelmakers and mining companies?

GOLD | OR

SILVER | ARGENT

WEDNESDAY • 2:00 PM Iron Ore Symposium Concentration & Pelletizing II Chairs: Michel Garant, Director Technology - Ferrous Sector, Corem, and Stephanie Gourde, Project Manager - Mining and Mineral Processing, Roche Limited The amount of thermal energy required to pelletize iron ore creates constant pressure on the industry to improve the process. Some of the major challenges to be met by this industry in the years to come include enhancing the quality of cooked pellets, gaining better control of production constancy, and furthering research into cooking processes that require less energy.

COPPER | CUIVRE

FRIENDS | AMIS

11:00 The role of development agency lenders Doug Macaulay/Tin Lwin, Export Development Canada 11:30 Equity finance and IPOs To be confirmed 12:00 Conference closing luncheon

ESSENTIALS TO FINANCING

M4S

Chair: David Clarry, Principal, Innotain Inc. 2:00 De-risking the mine project: the key to finding capital in tough markets Mauro Chiesa, Independent Consultant 2:30 Improving mining projects with the IFC performance standards Jenifer Hill, Micon International Limited 3:00 Networking break

PANEL SESSION 3:30 4:30

Title and moderator to be confirmed Wrap-up

www.cim.org/montreal2011

February 2011 | 89

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

WORKSHOPS

NEW! NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects — New Rules are Coming

FULL CONFERENCE DELEGATE REGISTRATION FEE NOW INCLUDES WORKSHOPS. ENRICH YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCE BY SIGNING UP FOR WORKSHOPS TODAY.

This two-day course will focus on NI 43-101 disclosure standards and filing requirements that are applicable to exploration and mining companies with Canadian investors looking to raise finances in Canada, list on a Canadian stock exchange, or get involved with mergers and acquisitions of companies that report under NI 43-101.

Mining 101 — An Introduction to Mining and Mineral Processing

This course covers the basic concepts of mining and mineral processing: how mines are found, how they are built, how the ore is processed, how the waste is disposed, and how mineral products are marketed. The course is aimed at those who have little or no background in mining or mineral processing, but find themselves working in the industry and wanting to learn more.

Instructors: Greg Gosson, Technical Director, Geology and Geostatistics, and Stella Searston, Principal Geologist, AMEC Americas Limited | Date: Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22 | Time: 8:30 to 16:30

Instructor: Angelina Mehta, Senoir Business and Strategic Planning Engineer, Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) | Date: Sunday, May 22 | Time: 13:00 to 17:00

Towards Greater Efficiency: Dollars to $ense Energy Management

The Cyanide Code — A Canadian Perspective

This customized workshop by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will teach you all about energy management planning, spotting the energy savings opportunities, energy monitoring and energy efficiency financing. Learn about successes in energy management, key success factors and high-level energy analysis. Assess organizational proficiencies for effective day-to-day energy management. In essence, identify the next steps toward making energy management day-to-day business. Instructor: Pierre Chantraine, Energy Management Consultant, TDS Dixon Inc. | Date: Sunday, May 22 | Time: 9:00 to 17:00

First Nations: Learning Together For the past six years, Learning Together has worked with numerous First Nation communities and industry partners, sharing information and helping cultivate the organic relationship between them, done in part through its annual conference, held in locations all across Canada, and through its community-based, grassroots interaction with partners. Participants will have the opportunity to hear practical and constructive best practices from industry players and community leaders working with the mining industry. Instructor: Lana Eagle, Board Member, and Juan Carlos Reyes, Executive Director, Learning Together | Date: Sunday, May 22 | Time: 9:00 to 17:00

The Realities of Earning a Social License to Operate Earning a “social license” is a mounting risk that the extractive industries must now integrate into their strategic and risk management plans. It goes beyond simply legitimizing a project with stakeholders to one where companies must gain the trust and recognition from these vested communities by working with them to ensure sound management of this risk throughout the entire project. This full-day workshop will provide an in-depth understanding of the growing challenges that companies working within the extractive industries are facing in order to obtain a social license to operate. Instructor: TBA | Date: Sunday, May 22 | Time: 9:00 to 17:00

This course covers cyanide code overview and recent experiences with the cyanide code (industry, government, NGO and external auditor/consultant perspective). Instructor: Paul Bateman, President, and Norm Greenwald, Vice-President, International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI) | Date: Sunday, May 22 | Time: 13:00 to 17:00

MAC’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative 2004–2011 Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) is a strategy developed by The Mining Association of Canada to improve the industry’s performance by aligning its actions with the priorities and values of Canadians in order to build a better industry. TSM, which is based on a specific set of guiding principles, is stewarded by the Governance Team and led by MAC’s board of directors as well as a group of initiative leaders. Instructor: Julie Gelfand, Vice-President, Sustainable Development, Mining Association of Canada | Date: Wednesday, May 25 | Time: 9:00 to 12:00

Management of Tailings Facilities The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has, over the past 15 years, worked to improve the management of tailings facilities by its member companies and the broader mining industry. MAC established a Tailings Working Group in 1996, which continues to work within the industry to promote safe and environmentally responsible tailings management practices. This workshop will outline the MAC tailings management framework, as put forth in a three-volume set of guides, and provide guidance for its implementation and application as gained from member company experiences. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between the guides and the tailings management performance indicators under MAC’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative. Instructor: Mining Association of Canada, Tailings Working Group | Date: Wednesday, May 25 | Time: 13:00 to 16:00

FEES APPLY TO VISITORS TO THE CIM EXHIBITION, EXHIBITOR STAFF, ONE-DAY CONFERENCE DELEGATES AND WORKSHOP(S) ATTENDEES ONLY AS FOLLOWS: TWO-DAY WORKSHOP = $400; ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS = $350; HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS = $150.

90 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

www.cim.org/montreal2011

CIM — A COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

(formerly Mining in Society)

Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau, NH Photographes Ltée

M4S

M4S The educational public show on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials CIM‘s highly acclaimed Mining in Society public show has been revamped and renamed — M4S is the event where people come to learn about the wide range of exciting careers in this industry. By highlighting the abundance of career opportunities and dispelling the myths, we are helping to secure a robust future for the industry. Now in its sixth year of educating the general public about mining and its impact on our daily lives, this free interactive exhibition has been given a new name that better reflects the scope of the industry: M4S (the 4 Ms stand for Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials). Together, we can truly demonstrate the positive impact of our sector on everyday life. Last year’s show attracted over 6,000 visitors, almost 85 per cent of whom were students between 10 and 16 years of age. Feedback from both attendees and participants has been consistently and enthusiastically positive. Exhibiting in M4S is free and gives industry leaders an opportunity to better position themselves.

M4S Montreal will feature the following themed interactive pavilions:

Exploration • Mining • Processing • Sustainability Products & Fabrication • Education • Health & Safety Land Surveying • Uranium The general public is invited to visit M4S on Monday, May 23, while teachers and students will fill the hall on Tuesday, May 24, and Wednesday, May 25.

www.cim.org/montreal2011

Confirmed participants to date: Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited Atlas Copco Cansel Cégep de Sept-Îles Club de minéralogie de Montréal Comité sectoriel de main d’œuvre de l’industrie des mines La Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST) De Beers Canada École Polytechnique Montréal Genivar Goldcorp Golder Associates Ltd. Hewitt Equipment Limited Leica Geosystems McGill University The Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM Mining Industry human Resources Council (MiHR) The Mining Association of Canada Ordre des géologues du Québec PDAC Mining Matters P&H MinePro Services Rockwell Automation Suncor Energy Teck Resources Limited Xstrata

February 2011 | 91

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

FIELD TRIPS

FACE TO FACE

The Mining Encounter Take part in the Face to Face program, a powerful meeting of the minds. Experience the business equivalent to speed-dating, Face to Face consists of pairing participants with their top prospective business partners, based on specific criteria they provide — matches made in business heaven! Each exclusive meeting allows you to identify business opportunities, develop new market niches, create strategic alliances and find new distributors, suppliers or sub-contractors. Seats are limited. Be one of the 150 companies that will take advantage of this opportunity. Date: Tuesday, May 24 | Location: Room 517 | Time: 8:00 to 12:00 | Cost: Free for mining executives; $250 for exhibiting supplier; $1,250 for nonexhibiting suppliers | Note: Three meetings guaranteed

Aerial view of the Kittilä mine site

Photo courtesy of Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited

STUDENT PROGRAM

Mine Visit: Val-d’Or or LaRonde (Overnight Field Trip) The CIM Harricana Branch is organizing a charter plane from Montreal to Val-d’Or to visit mining sites in Val-d’Or and LaRonde. Guests will have the option of choosing one of the following mine visits: AgnicoEagle Mines Limited: LaRonde, Lapa, Goldex • Alexis Minerals Corporation: Lac Herbin • Century Mining Corporation: Lamaque • Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.: Kiena Mine • Richmont Mines: Beaufor Mine • Osisko Mining Corporation

The student program is designed to help students create a network of industry contacts as they contemplate the career opportunities that our industry offers. Here is how CIM bridges the gap between post-secondary students and professionals (including engineers in training [EITs] and geoscientists in training [GITs]): when registering for the CIM Conference & Exhibition, students get a free one-year membership to CIM. Also, they gain access to networking opportunities, innovative technologies and technical knowledge through the: • • • • • • • • •

Technical Program, including the Iron Ore Symposium Free online access to the technical presentations CIM Exhibition, M4S show and CIM Job Fair Women in Mining Forum CIM Opening Reception and evening cocktail reception Lunch in the CIM Exhibition on Monday Student-Industry Luncheon on Tuesday P&H Reception and Dance on Tuesday night CIM Coal and Industrial Minerals Reception

CIM Student Poster Competition

Date: Wednesday, May 25 to Thursday, May 26 | Time: Departs at 17:00 on May 25 and returns at 21:00 on May 26 | Cost: $600 (includes charter plane, hotel, shuttle bus to site, one lunch and one dinner)

Showcase your talents to leading industry professionals on a wide range of topics, from geology and mining to processing and sustainability. Cash prizes will be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students. Submit a 200-word abstract online by Friday, April 1, 2011 at: www.cim.org/montreal2011/conference/CallForPapers.cfm.

COREM Facilities Visit

Roundtable Discussions

A consortium of applied research for the treatment and processing of mineral substances, COREM relies on its dynamic alliance with members and partners to improve the competitiveness of industrial operations through sustainable development objectives. The pilot plant, located in Québec City, has an installation for iron ore concentration (gravity/magnetic separation and flotation), balling (semi-industrial balling disks and laboratory balling drums), state-of-the-art pot-grate and grate-kiln firing devices, and a pyrometallurgical characterization lab. Attendees will also visit Montmorency Falls, located 15 minutes from Québec City, for a guided tour and a lunch at the top of the falls.

Students and industry experts have the opportunity to zero in on real-life mining knowledge, as well as exchange information and share experiences. M4S expands to include post-secondary students and EITs/GITs for roundtable discussions on hot topics within the minerals and mining industries. Major topics include: Corporate social responsibility; Health and safety; Mine design and operations; OEMs/supply/services; Networking and communications; Leadership and business management; International relations; and Careers.

Date: Thursday, May 26 | Time: Departs at 6:00 and returns at 18:00 | Cost: $50 (includes coach transportation and lunch)

Student-Industry Luncheon Build your network of industry contacts and learn about valuable business and career opportunities. What you learn here will allow you to share your newly acquired industry knowledge. Time: Tuesday, 12:00 to 14:00 | Cost: Included with the student registration fee

92 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

www.cim.org/montreal2011

SOCIAL PROGRAM AN ARRAY OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN PLANNED THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE TO MAXIMIZE YOUR NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. BE SURE TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS EARLY OR YOU’LL MISS OUT ON ALL THE FUN. SUNDAY, MAY 22

MONDAY, MAY 23

CIM COAL AND INDUSTRIAL MINERALS RECEPTION

CIM AWARDS GALA

Mix and mingle at the Coal and Industrial Minerals Society Welcome Reception. Gifts are up for grabs so be sure to bring extra business cards to enter the draws. Time: 14:00 to 16:00 | Location: Palais des congrès de Montréal | Cost: Free

The CIM Awards Gala honours the true leaders of our industry. The evening will be emceed by Fred Keating and sponsored by Caterpillar and its Canadian dealers. Enjoy virtuoso violinist Ara Malikian along with three musicians who not only perform some of the greatest compositions but also popular genres such as rock or folk, interacting with the audience for a fun and exciting night! Time: 18:00, Foyer of Room 710 (reception); 19:00, Room 710 (dinner) | Location: Palais des congrès de Montréal | Cost: $150

OPENING RECEPTION

Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

TUESDAY, MAY 24

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

STUDENT-INDUSTRY LUNCHEON

CLOSING LUNCH

The luncheon is the perfect opportunity for students to meet industry giants and establish indispensable contacts. Time: 12:00 to 14:00 | Cost: Included with the student registration fee

You and your peers will relish listening to Rex Murphy, who never fails to bring a volatile mix of insight, humour and commentary powered by an extraordinary vocabulary. By popular demand, CIM’s Vancouver 2010 Plenary moderator is back for more! Time: 12:00 to 14:00 | Cost: $79

WOMEN IN MINING RECEPTION A reception will follow the Women in Mining Forum, featuring keynote speaker Leanne Hall, Vice-President Human Resources, Noront Resources Ltd. Time: 17:00 to 19:00 | Cost: $25

VIP RECEPTION Senior industry leaders and invited guests will gather for a high-powered networking session. Time: 17:00 to 19:00 | Note: By invitation only

CANADIAN MINING CREDENTIALS PROGRAM — CERTIFICATION CEREMONY Join the Mining Industry Human Resources (MiHR) Council as they celebrate the achievements of the first miners certified as part of the Canadian Mining Credentials Program (CMCP). View footage of certification events from across Canada, hear from workers and employers about what this recognition means to them, and witness the presentation of certificates to representatives from six pilot sites. Drinks and appetizers provided. Time: 19:00 | Cost: Free

P&H RECEPTION AND DANCE The P&H Reception and Dance will ignite your senses with a magical evening of dancing and partying well into the wee hours. Time: 20:00 to midnight | Location: Room 710, Palais des congrès de Montréal | Cost: Free

Photo courtesy of Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

The Opening Reception of the CIM Conference & Exhibition, sponsored by SMS/ Komatsu, is the event to attend if you are looking to network. Attendees will be inspired by the guest speaker, enjoy live entertainment and be treated to a buffet on the exhibition floor. Time: 17:00 to 20:00 | Location: CIM Exhibition | Cost: Included in the registration fee

Grow your network of contacts Lunch and cocktail receptions in the CIM Exhibition: Monday and Tuesday, May 23 and 24, 12:00 to 14:00 and 15:30 to 17:00. Note: The lunch and one drink ticket are included with the delegate registration fee.

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

CIM EXHIBITION | SALON COMMERCIAL DE L’ICM Keeping abreast of technological advancements in our fast-paced world is an almost insurmountable task. Yet, it is an essential one in order to remain competitive. That is why buyers, planners, engineers, researchers, senior executives

and technical experts from across Canada come to the CIM Exhibition — the place to come face to face with the best equipment and service suppliers in the industry.

EXHIBITORS (to date) / EXPOSANTS (à ce jour) COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

3D-P 0825 3M Canada Company 2005 48e Nord International 000E, 000F ABB Inc. 1615 Abresist Kalenborn Corporation 1418 ACR Group Inc. 1628 Aecon - Lockerbie / 1027 Scott Construction Agru America, Inc. 0320 AirFlow Catalyst Systems, Inc. 0323 AirSep Corp. - Commercial 2709 Products Division Altis Tec Ltd. 1318 AMEC 1015 Aquatech Pump and Power Inc. 1720 Aran Management PTY Ltd 0910 Armtec 0211 Atlantic Industries Limited 1714 Atlas Copco Construction 1809 and Mining Canada Aumund Corporation 2324 Ausenco 1006 Austin Powder 2701 Australian Trade Commission 0805, 0807, 0904, 0906, 0908 B.I.D. Canada Ltd. 1806 Baldor Electric Co. 1818 Barnes Distribution 2603 BASF Construction Chemicals 1019 Bateman Engineering Technologies 0109 BBA Inc. 1220 Bedford Reinforced Plastics 1627 Berlie Falco Technologies Inc. 2424 BESTECH 2021 BHP Billiton - EKATI Diamond Mine 1314 Biodisk Corporation 1622 Boart Longyear Canada 1424 Breaker Technology Ltd 1529 Brenntag Canada Inc. 2506 Brevini Canada Ltd 0108 Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. 1215 Brunel 2711 Butler Manufacturing Company 1025 Canada North Environmental 2807 Services Limited Partnership (CanNorth) Canadian Association of Mining 0615 Equipment & Services for Export Canadian Cancer Society 000B Canadian Dewatering LP 1720 Canadian Light Source Inc. 2810 Canadian Mining and 2906 Metallurgical Foundation (CMMF) Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ) 0920 Canam 0902 Cansel Survey Equipment 0208

94 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

Carlo Gavazzi Canada Inc. Carlson Software Cattron-Theimeg Canada Ltd. Cavotec Canada Inc. Cementation Canada Inc. Centre d’aide technologique aux entreprises (CATE) Côte-Nord Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) CHAMCO Industries Ltd. Chemline Plastics Limited Chongqing Hanbang Network Tech Inc. CIM - Coal and Industrial Minerals Society CIM - Maintenance and Engineering Society CK Logistics Clifton Associates Ltd. COGEP Cole-Parmer Canada Coletanche Columbia Steel Casting Co., Inc. Condra Cranes & Hoists (Pty) Ltd Conspec Controls Ltd Continental Conveyor Ltd Converteam Canada Inc. Corriveau J.L./3D Surveying Cubex Limited Cummins Eastern Canada LP CWA Engineers Inc. CzechTrade/Czech Trade Promotion Agency Datamine Canada Inc. Davidson Drilling Limited De Beers DebTech DELKOR AMERICAS Delom Services Detour Gold Dimension Technology Solutions DMC Mining Services DOK-ING Ltd Don Bourgeois et Fils inc. Dragflow DSI Mining Canada Dumas Contracting Ltd. DUX MACHINERY CORPORATION Dynamic Rock Support AS Dyno Nobel Canada EBC Inc. Eclipse Combustion, Canada, Inc. Emeco Canada Endress+Hauser Enduride Canada USA Engart Global Dust Extraction Technology

2601 1611 1211 0610 0317 0324 0900 1216 1619 2019 2902 2904 1023 2600 0409 2703 1510 1828 0500 0621 0611 2420 1126 1200 1003 0722 0115 1900 1728 1504 0111 1118 2107 0229 1710 2322 2406 1720 1320 1104 0701 2221 0915 2406 0628 0625 1011 1829 0818

COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

Engineering Seismology Group Canada Inc. (ESG) Enterprise Saskatchewan Équipements K.N. inc ERIN Consulting Ltd. Euclid Chemical Everest Automation Inc. Explosives Partnership F.F.P. Systems Inc. Festo Inc. Filtramax Firestone Specialty Products Flairbase Inc. Flanders Electric Motor Service Flip Productions Ltd. FLSmidth FMC Technologies Fortis Fuller Industrial Corp. FWS Group of Companies G Plus Industrial Plastics inc. G.L. Tiley & Associates Ltd. Gallagher Security Garda GEA Barr Rosin Gemcom Software International Inc. GENEQ inc. General Electric General Kinematics Genius Solutions / STIQ Genivar Geotemps International GIW Industries, Inc. GKM Consultants, Inc. Glen Mor Inc. GMSI (GijimaAst Mining Solutions International) Golder Associates Ltd. Graham Group Ltd. Grindex Pumps Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc. Groupe Industriel Premium & CanStahl Groupe LAR Groupe Stavibel Inc. Gundlach Equipment Corporation Hamsar Diversco Inc. Hard Dollar Hatch Hayward Gordon Ltd HAZCO Environmental Services Hein, Lehmann Canada Inc. Hella Mining Canada Hepburn Engineering Inc. Hewitt Équipment Ltée

0911 2710 0301 2811 0120 0220 1308 0607 2122 0223 1223 1109 1519 000G 1911 1614 2508 1319 2309 1114 2307 2609 0821 1021 1709 0304 2317 1207 0307 1101 2223 0726 1122 2909 0426 1201 1005 0704 2706 0720 2803 1125 0210 2608 0305 1515 0207 000C 1704 0801 1001 0727

COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

High Strength Plates and Profiles Inc. Hitachi Canadian Industries Limited HLS HARD-LINE Solutions Inc. Horne Conveyance Safety Ltd Hyco Canada ULC Hydralogie Inc IC Controls igus Inc IMAFS Inc. Imperial Oil Ltd. Independent Mining Consultants Inc Industrial Rubber Company Innovanor Innovex inc. InnovExplo Inc. INO Inproheat Industries Integrated Risk Management Intergraph Intersystems ITT Water & Wastewater Ivara J.F. Comer Inc. Jannatec Radio Jebco Industries Jennmar Canada Johnson Industries Ltd. Kaeser Compressors Canada Inc. Kal Tire Kargo Light KBR Canada Ltd. Kinecor SC Klassen Specialty Hydraulics Inc. Knelson Gravity Solutions Krupp Canada Inc. L. Fournier & Fils inc. L.P. Royer Inc. LabWare Inc. Lafarge Lafleur Portes de Garage Industrielles Laurentide Controls Layfield Geosynthetics & Industrial Fabrics Ltd. Ledcor Industries Inc. Leica Geosystems Inc. Les Forages L.B.M. Inc. Les Industries Fournier Inc. Les Industries Permo Inc. Levert Personnel Resources / Levert WorkSafe Services Liebherr-Canada Ltd. Luff Industries Ltd. LYNN Co Ltd. M.G.B. Électrique inc.

2120 2806 0700 0705 1729 2304 0226 2500 0408 0715 1310 2114 0326 1727 1115 0608 1605 0114 0724 1505 1315 0624 0407 0527 2117 1908 1618 2125 1309 0325 0820 2124 0308 0216 1409 1228 1117 0718 0122 0329 0101 0723 1405 0525 1129 1119 0107 2610 0926 1914 0605 1826

www.cim.org/montreal2011

CIM — A COMMUNITY FOR LEADING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

M3 Technology Solutions Ltd. Maccaferri Canada Ltd. Machines Roger International Inc. MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Limited Magnum Fabricating Ltd Mansour Mining Inc. Maptek Maschinenfabrik Köppern GmbH & Co. KG McDowell Brothers Industries McLanahan Corporation McLellan Industries Inc McQuaid Engineering Ltd MDA MDH Engineered Solutions Corp. ME Elecmetal Mecanicad MegaDome Megadoor USA Meglab Métal 7 Métallurgie Castech Inc. Met-Chem Canada Inc. Metcon Sales & Engineering Ltd. Metso Mettler Toledo Michelin North America Inc. Micromine North America Mincon Mining Equipment Mine Cable Services Corp Mine Design Technologies Mine Hoists International Ltd. Mine Radio Systems Inc. Mine Site Technologies Mining Technologies International Inc. Minova Americas MMD Mineral Sizing (Canada) Inc. Monaco Telecom International Moody International Consulting & Training Motion Metrics Int’l Corp. Moventas Ltd. MPI Mobile Parts Inc. MTG Moltec MTU Mullen Trucking LP Multicrete Systems Inc. Multotec Canada Ltd MWG Apparel Corp National Mine Service Natural Resources Canada CANMET-MMSL / Natural Resources Canada - CIPEC NCS Technology Inc. Newtrax Technologies NL Technologies Inc. NORLEANS Technologies Inc. Normet Canada Ltd Norseman Structures North American Construction Group North Fringe Industrial Technologies Inc. Northern Strands Co. Ltd.

0517 0322 1111 1300 2808 0104 1904 2323 2502 0422 1718 0803 0328 1307 0415 1128 2404 0118 1108 0327 1107 0829 1822 2700 1623 1715 2109 0600 0410 0706 2307 0627 0815 1301 1705 0617 0405 1804 1219 2025 0709 0129 1905 1500 0421 0601 1009 1209 0901

0708 1124 0205 1420 2416 0224 0916 2214 0128

COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

Octagon Systems OMDEC Ontario Construction Secretariat Optical Cable Corporation Orica Canada, Inc. OSIsoft (Canada) ULC Outotec (Canada) Ltd. P&H Mine Air Systems P.R. Engineering Limited Pacific Bit of Canada Inc. Pedno Peter Kiewit Sons Co. Petro-Canada Lubricants Photonic Knowledge Placer Gold Design Plafolift Planar Systems, Inc. Polar Mobility Research Ltd. Polycorp Ltd. Polydeck Screen Corporation Pompaction Inc. Praetorian Construction Management Precismeca Limited Procon / Safemap ProMinent Fluid Controls Pultrusion Technique Inc. QIP Equipment Ltd. Queen’s University - The Robert M. Buchan Dept. of Mining R.A.S. Industries Ltd. R.D.H. Mining Equipment Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. Reutech Mining Rexnord Canada Rezplast Manufacturing Ltd. RMT Equipment Inc RNP - Refacciones Neumaticas La Paz S. A. de C.V. Roche ltée, Groupe-conseil Rock Construction & Mining Inc. Rock-Tech Rockwell Automation Rolled Alloys ROSTA INC. RPA Process Technologies/ Readco Kurimoto, LLC RSM Mining Services Inc. RST Instruments Ltd RubberSource Inc. Runge Mining (Canada) Pty Ltd. Russell Mineral Equipment Rutherford Sales and Equipment S.Huot Safety Whips Sandale Utility Products Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority Inc. (SREDA) Scanalyse Inc. Scantech International Pty Ltd Schlumberger Water Services

www.cim.org/montreal2011

1726 0309 0204 2105 0215 0710 2015 0311 1306 0414 2224 1227 1509 1224 0400 1121 1827 1325 1609 2119 1701 0209 2314 1507 1810 1226 1807 1723 2308 1817 0719 0228 1801 2218 1508 0121 0629 1805 2209 0604 0106 2318 0100 1218 1625 1724 1523 2418 0227 0127 0321 1225 2907 2809 2911

2325 2408 0306

COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

Schneider-Electric 1417 Schur Pump Company 2602 Schwing Bioset, Inc. 0206 Seeing Machines Inc. 0806 Sensear 0809 Sepro Mineral Systems Corp 2215 Services Industriels BEST H2O Inc. 0406 SEW-Eurodrive Co. of Canada Ltd. 2225 SGS Canada Inc. 0221 Shaft Drillers International 1620 Shell Canada 1423 SIEMAG TECBERG Inc. 1918 Siemens Canada Limited 1923 Signature Group of Companies 2123 Simsmart Technologies 0804 Simson Maxwell 1501 SlideMinder -Call & Nicholas 1626 Instruments Inc SM Construction inc 1127 SmartRiver Ltd. 2320 SM - Cyclo Canada 1326 SME - Society for Mining, 1205 Metallurgy & Exploration SMS Equipment Inc. 0921 SNC-Lavalin 1708 Snowden 0907 Sourcing Services Co Ltd 1824 South African Consulate 0501, 0503, General: Toronto 0505, 0507, 0508, 0509, 0511 Specialty Tools Canada Inc. 0125 SPI 1725 Spicer Solution Providers Inc. 1414 SSAB 2205 STC Footwear 1105 StonCor Group - Canada 2305 Superior Propane 0626 Superior Safety Inc 2327 Supermetal Inc. 2702 Svendborg Brakes 2801 Sysco Food Service/Services 0105 Alimentaires Sysco Taimi Hydraulics 1825 Takraf Canada Inc. 1406 TD Assurance Meloche Monnex 000D Team Mixing Technologies 2707 Technosub Industrial Pumps 1100 Tega Industries Limited 0714 Telsmith, Inc. 1527 TEMA Systems, Inc. 1601 Terra Vision / CommodasUltrasort 0819

COMPANY/ COMPAGNIE

BOOTH/ STAND

TF Warren Group The Northern Miner Thermo Scientific NITON Analyzers Thermo Scientific, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific Thomas Engineering Ltd. / MDL Canada Thoroughtec Simulation Ltd. ThreeDify Inc. Thyssen Mining Touchtronics Electronics Tramac Equipment Ltd. Trimble Navigation Universal Fabric Structures, Inc. Universal Roll Inc. Université du Québec Abitibi-Témiscamingue - UQAT University of Saskatchewan Uretech (Pty) Ltd URS Global Mining Partners Van der Graaf Vancouver Gear Works Ltd Varisystems Corp. Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies VIASAT GeoTechnologies Viking Chains Group Voith Turbo Inc. Volvo Penta Canada W.S. Tyler Canada Wabi Iron & Steel Corp Wainbee Limited Wajax Industries Wardrop, A Tetra Tech Company Weir Minerals - North America Weir Power & Industrial Wenco International Mining Systems Ltd. Westech WesTech Engineering Inc. Westlund Industrial (QC) Westpro Machinery Inc. WestRon Pumps, Compressors & Blowers WipWare Inc. Wire Rope Industries Ltd WireCo WorldGroup Wolseley Canada / Fusionex Yaskawa America, Inc. ZCL Composites Inc. ZETEC technologie internationale inc.

2118 1010 1906 1204 1304 0200 0823 1922 0504 0707 1808 2611 2510 1123 2708 0506 1208 0201 1323 0721 1800 2606 0420 1401 0126 1604 1322 2204 1600 0404 0401 1917 1621 0922 1607 1624 2208 1422 0424 0300 2607 2220 1719 0822 1116

CIM JOB FAIR 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. Agrium Partnership Cameco Corporation Canadian Natural Resources Limited - Horizon Oil Sands Detour Gold Goldcorp Imperial Oil Ltd.

JF01 JF11 JF06 JF03 JF08 JF09

Public Service Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador Quadra FNX Rio Tinto The Mosaic Company Vale

JF02 JF12 JF07 JF05 JF04

February 2011 | 95

GUEST PROGRAM THE GUEST HOSPITALITY SUITE, IN THE ALPHONSE ROULEAU ROOM OF THE HYATT HOTEL, WILL OPEN FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST FROM 8:00 TO 10:30 A.M. ON MAY 23, 24 AND 25. THE SUITE WILL ALSO BE THE DEPARTURE POINT FOR ALL GUEST EVENTS.

Photo courtesy of VDM Global DMC

FLAVOURS AND AROMAS OF OLD MONTREAL

THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS This magnificent region located south of Montreal is becoming one of the most visited areas in Quebec. Known for its picturesque countryside, this visit will feature a tour of the Victorian Village of Knowlton and includes time to shop in the antique stores, as well as explore the village at your leisure. Afterwards, by way of country roads, this tour will take guests past vineyards on their way to an al fresco lunch and local wine tasting in a rural setting. Date: Monday, May 23 | Time: 9:30 to 16:00 | Cost: $95 (includes transportation, lunch and wine tastings during the tour) | Dress: Casual with walking shoes

Discover the culinary, cultural and historical charm of Montreal’s oldest district on this scenic walking tour. Housed in old warehouses and showrooms of the 19th century, food boutiques will open their doors to give you a taste of their delicacies. Through small and narrow cobblestone streets, the guide will highlight the historical culinary styles influenced by the Amerindians and nuns of the era, as well as explain how the World Expo in 1967 brought exotic food to our tables. Date: Sunday, May 22 | Time: 13:30 to 17:00 | Cost: $55 (includes tastings during the tour) | Dress: Casual with walking shoes

THE RICHELIEU VALLEY AND THE APPLE REGION The Richelieu Valley, colonized by the French, was at the heart of the seigniorial system and is noteworthy for the panoramic scenery it offers. The Valley enjoys a perfect climate for market gardening, and the Monteregians hills are surrounded by huge apple orchards, one of its most prized exports. Visit a cider plant and enjoy a hearty meal with beer tastings in the village of Chambly. The tour will conclude with a gourmet chocolate tasting in Mont SaintHilaire. Date: Tuesday, May 24 | Time: 9:30 to 16:00 | Cost: $95 (includes transportation, lunch and tastings during the tour) | Dress: Casual with walking shoes

A MEMORABLE CONFERENCE Be inspired by Sunniva Sorby’s presentation as she shares the experience of her expedition in the Antartic. On January 14, 1993, Ms. Sorby made history as one of the four team members of the American Women’s Antarctic Expedition to reach the South Pole following a grueling 700-mile trip across the snow and ice of Antarctica. In May 1999, Sunniva led a team of three across the Greenland icecap from east to west, a 33-day crossing that was over 350 miles in length. She became the first Canadian woman to complete the Greenland crossing and the first Canadian woman to ski to the South Pole. Date: Wednesday, May 25 | Time: 9:00 to 10:30 | Cost: Included in the registration fee

MINING NEW INNOVATIONS

Innovations Showcase | Innovations minières SAVING YOU MONEY

FAILURE NOT AN OPTION Ivara Corporation’s EXP Remote is a unique mobile application that is used to collect, consolidate and trigger maintenance work before failure occurs on mobile equipment. Working as a front end to SAP PM, EXP Remote consolidates and analyzes condition data to make fast and accurate decisions on maintenance required to avoid failure. Users: • have assets that need to be monitored across a wide geographic area;

• need their workforce to be better informed as well as mobile at the same time;

• need to increase data collection efficiency and accuracy in the field; and • want to apply a consistent reliability strategy across high volumes of remote assets.

Carlo Gavazzi (Canada) Inc.’s modular energy and power quality meter is intended to answer requests for an economical yet flexible metering solution. The WM family of meters has reduced their physical footprint and features a compact design that cuts back on panel space, yet allows for a variety of configurations. The wide range of inputs and outputs, as well as communication options, ensures that the meter can be reliably connected to most control, automation or monitoring systems with ease. Booth # 2601

KEEPING YOU COOL

Features include: • Immediate on-hand access to critical information in a disconnected environment • Increased mobility • Efficient information gathering • Reduction in incident response time • Improved labour utilization rates • Improved work request processing • Reduction in paper waste and lost paperwork • Reduction in non-value added activities Booth # 0624

Introducing the Polar Mobility DigAire™ cutting-edge designs of air conditioning systems made for mobile mining and military equipment. The fully hydraulic design eliminates the need for electrical power, making it virtually “explosion-proof” when used in hazardous conditions. Features include: • Extremely efficient high-volume hydraulic fan motors • Heavy-duty vibration-resistant construction • Polar HD hydraulic drive compressor package • Designed to operate in 55°C+ Booth # 1325

www.cim.org/montreal2011

February 2011 | 97

A WINNING COMBINATION BESTECH’s NRG1-ECO (Energy Consumption Optimization) can be applied to processes with compressors, pumps and ventilation, saving a mine millions of dollars in energy costs by reducing energy consumption. NRG1-ECO’s VOD (Ventilation-On-Demand) module enables the mine to instantly control the system’s air flow as to when and where it is needed, dramatically reducing a mine’s energy consumption by up to 40 per cent while maximizing productivity, profitability and worker safety. Combining hardware and software, NRG1-ECO is a complete energy management solution that can be integrated with a mine’s new or existing technology. Booth # 2021

PUMP IT OUT

KEEPING THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN

McLanahan Corporation’s patented Tongiani Press is a line of equipment that has revolutionized dewatering fine solids with the most efficient, costeffective technology in the industry. The Tongiani Press pumps solids through plates wrapped with filter cloth at high pressures, and when the cycle is complete, easy-to-handle dry solid cakes are discharged from the bottom of the machine and can then be transported. Booth # 0422

Mine Site Technologies’ VoIP Communications, designed for the rigors of mining, is the first VoIP (voice-over IP) handset truly designed for the mining industry. The Mine-Phone handset offers a simple and robust solution for VoIP communications in harsh mining environments, allowing users to place and receive VoIP phone calls from any area of the mine covered by wireless networks. Features include: • Push to talk (PTT) 24 channels (even if communications to surface are lost)

• Emergency channel for man • Optional external lapel microphone • Optional asset locator (for use • • • • • • • • •

with MST tracking system) Wi-fi 802.11b/g

Three hours of talk time 72 hours of standby time Call forwarding Caller ID Call waiting Text messaging (peer to peer) Vibrating alert Optional ICA appliance PBX Booth # 0815

LIGHTING THE WAY

RELIABILITY AT ITS FINEST

Rexnord stands behind its Falk V-Class product line of critical system components, which is user-friendly, designed to be tough, and is a unique fusion of cuttingedge ideas that provide distinct reliability. Booth # 1801 98 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

National Mine Service, a subsidiary of United Central Industrial Supply, presents the Koehler Cordless WHEAT, a fully contained, ultra-lightweight cap lamp. Using proven lithium technology, the four-ounce Cordless WHEAT charges in five hours, burns for 14 hours, and recharges on all existing Koehler chargers. It also uses the latest generation of ultra-bright LEDs, which produce brilliant white light while conserving battery power. Koehler pioneered reflective optical modules as well, which focus nearly 90 per cent of emitted light and project it up to two cross-cuts downfield. Finally, the Cordless WHEAT incorporates an industry first – Eye Guard protection to shield individuals from eye strain caused by looking directly into the highintensity light produced by today’s LEDs. Booth # 1209

www.cim.org/montreal2011

MINING NEW INNOVATIONS

SAFETY’S THE NAME OF THE GAME

RED HOT ENERGY TUBE The new “RX” Energy Tube (enclosed cable carriers that are 100 per cent chipproof) from igus® is ideal for the machine-tool industry. RX Energy Tubes feature a specially designed, smooth-domed exterior that can be easily opened to unscrew bolts integrated into the outer radius of each link. The large interior space for cables, hoses and a horizontal shelf, which safely routes cables and hoses to prevent abrasion, is good for short, self-supporting lengths inside tooling machines and can also be used in reverse bending radius (RBR) applications. A high-temperature version that can withstand red-hot chips up to 1,562°F is available as well. Booth # 2500

Endress+Hauser’s radiometric (gamma) instrumentation is for level limit detection, continuous level measurement, interface layer measurement and density measurement. This technology offers distinct and proven advantages over other measurement technologies in that it is non-invasive and it provides the highest degree of safety and reliability. Encapsulated by a double-walled stainless steel welded enclosure and conforming to ISO classification C 66646/ISO 2919, the gamma source meets the most stringent safety criteria. Booth # 1011

THE BELT DOESN’T STOP HERE

Intersystems’ Model RS Mid-Belt Sampler is designed to take representative samples from moving belts. It provides for a safer sample and eliminates the need to assign an individual to the sampling process. Intersystems’ RS Mid-Belt Sampler addresses the following issues: • Safety • Representative and repeatable results for testing • Time-consuming production stops and lockouts • Wear-and-tear caused by frequent stops and starts Booth # 1505

www.cim.org/montreal2011

LEADER OF THE PACK

Mine Radio Systems (MRS) Inc. created the CENTRIAN (CMTS) solution, the industry’s first cable modem termination system that provides high-speed Internet services between surface and underground using proven leaky feeder cable technology. The CENTRIAN (CMTS) allows for use of both VHF portable radios and voice-over IP handsets, as well as enables wireless “hot spots” to be deployed strategically anywhere a leaky feeder cable is installed. Booth # 0627

February 2011 | 99

May 22-25, 2011 | Montreal, QC

INNOVATIVE CHAIN HOIST

PREVENTING FURTHER INJURIES

Groupe Industriel Premium & CanStahl The R&D department of STAHL CraneSystems has further developed the successful STD dual chain hoist. The result of many years of experience and intelligent technology is the STD Vario dual chain hoist with electrically adjustable spacing between the hooks, a further gain in safety at work as well as flexibility — an innovation on the market. Features include: • Secure load attachment • No increased headroom • Simple power supply • Completely synchronous operation • No load hooks shift during lifting or travelling Booth # 0720

GE Energy presents Innovative GE Arc Flash Mitigation Solutions for low voltage applications including Arc Vault™ Protection System, Entellisys™ Switchgear, and the EntelliGuard® Trip Unit. Electrical shock and burn were responsible for the deaths of 2,287 U.S. workers and lost productivity from another 32,807 American employees during a seven-year period beginning in 1992 — nearly one fatality every day of the year, according to a study by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Statistics. The Arc Vault™ Protection System is a breakthrough arc fault protection technology that will stop an arcing fault in less than eight milliseconds to provide increased arc flash hazard mitigation, reducing the occurrence and severity of work-related injuries and lost productivity. Meanwhile, the Entellisys™ Switchgear is a state-of-the-art intelligent low-voltage switchgear system that offers advanced arc flash protection modes and allows operators to perform all protection, control, monitoring and diagnostics from remote locations well outside the Flash Protection Boundary. GE’s EntelliGuard Trip Unit has an industry first instantaneous zone selective interlocking capability and an optional reduced energy let through maintenance switch to reduce arc flash energy. Booth # 2317

TAKING ON THE VENTILATION CHALLENGE Simsmart Technologies Optimized Mine Ventilation-OnDemand (OMVOD) technology and U/G mine ventilation energy/production optimization technology demonstration will show: • The OMVOD total mine wide integrated, dynamic and realtime ventilation control solution. • How simple it is to use and maintain an OMVOD system. • How OMVOD technology calculates air flow demand in real time as a function of equipment utilization and personnel location tracking. • The updated version of the OMVOD “scheduling” interface that allows users to easily operate the system in scheduled-based control mode. OMVOD is designed to address the following challenges: • Electricity costs have risen of up to 60 per cent from 2001. • Ventilation accounts for up to 50 per cent of a mine’s energy cost. • Greenhouse gas/carbon emissions costs will be added to financial statements in the future.

100 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

•

Energy costs can establish the viability of mining new or existing ore zones. Air quality and quantity are increasing in importance with respect to regulatory health and safety. Booth # 0804

www.cim.org/montreal2011

Le 23 mai 2011 Palais des congrès de Montréal Montréal (Québec) Billets 1.800.667.1246 / www.cim.org

GALA DE REMISE

DE PRIX

20 11

PaGAGnini Un accord entre la musique classique et l’humour Les musiciens de PaGAGnini offrent une interprétation tout en humour de certaines des plus grandes pièces de l’histoire de la musique. Le violoniste virtuose Ara Malikian, de concert avec trois autres musiciens, interprète les compositions de génies de la musique comme Mozart, Pachelbel, Chopin et, bien sûr, Paganini, tout en faisant la part belle à certains styles populaires comme le rock ou le folk. Les musiciens jouent, dansent, rient, pleurent et échangent avec l’assistance, faisant de PaGAGnini un spectacle d’humour original où le violon et le violoncelle se transforment spontanément en instruments nouveaux et inédits.

http://www.flixxy.com/classical-music-comedy.htm PRÉSENTÉ PAR

ET SES DÉPOSITAIRES CANADIENS

“Un spectacle fascinant qui galvanise les foules et provoque des rires et du plaisir à n’en plus finir. C’est du théâtre à l’état pur.”

“Cette parodie hilarante d’un récital classique a un effet jubilatoire sur les foules.”

“Pagagnini n’est pas un spectacle qu’on aime, c’est un spectacle qu’on adore.”

– ABC

– El Pais

– The Gazette, Montréal

SÉANCE PLÉNIÈRE

Photo courtesy of Ron Stern

Mines sans frontières

Palais des congrès de Montréal (Convention Centre)

! r u o j Bon

BIENVENUE À MONTRÉAL

C’est avec grand plaisir que je vous invite à participer au Congrès et Salon commercial de l’ICM 2011, qui se déroulera du 22 au 25 mai à Montréal, Québec. Suite au succès remporté à Vancouver l’an dernier, où le nombre de participants a atteint un niveau record, nous avons décidé d’augmenter l’ampleur de l’événement à Montréal. Notre industrie vit une période importante. Enjeux économiques, mondialisation, environnement et technologie – tous ces sujets sont au cœur des discussions et des débats menés dans les salles de conseil à l’échelle nationale et internationale. Notre programme technique de 2011, qui tiendra compte de tous ces aspects clés, nous permettra d’attirer plus de 6 000 participants qui se réuniront à Montréal pour apprendre, réseauter et échanger avec des pairs et des dirigeants d’entreprise. Vous aurez donc l’occasion exceptionnelle de rencontrer les leaders de notre industrie mondiale représentant des milliards de dollars. Cette année, en plus des 7 plages de contenu et du Symposium sur le minerai de fer, deux grands aspects caractériseront le programme technique. D’abord les séances « Grand Nord » et tous les enjeux que soulèvent les activités minières dans ces régions. Et, la francophonie minière. Plusieurs pays d’Afrique ont un bon potentiel géologique et le Canada y est présent comme leader. Nous vous offrons beaucoup plus qu’un simple programme technique. La plus grande aire d’exposition jamais produite par l’ICM sera propice à d’innombrables occasions d’affaires. Face à Face, la rencontre minière, continuera d’offrir aux dirigeants des entreprises minières et aux exposants un cadre de choix pour les discussions face à face. De plus, des services de traduction simultanée seront offerts pour permettre à tous les participants d’explorer les possibilités offertes à l’échelle mondiale, en français et en anglais. Nous vous invitons donc à vous joindre aux milliers de participants qui s’y réuniront pour faire des affaires dans ce cadre international exceptionnel. Unissez votre voix à celles de milliers d’autres participants qui saisiront cette occasion internationale de faire des affaires. Martin Poirier Président du congrès

Le développement et le maintien de relations solides avec les collectivités touchées par des projets industriels sont essentiels à la réalisation de ces derniers. Pour illustrer l’importance de cette étape cruciale du processus, « MINES SANS FRONTIÈRES » est le thème de la séance plénière de cette année. Le modérateur Stéphan Bureau, l’un des plus éminents journalistes au Québec, dirigera les discussions d’un panel de géants de l’industrie sur l’importance du développement précoce de liens communautaires solides et de la responsabilité sociale au Canada et partout dans le monde. Un panel d’experts influents du monde minier sera formé pour traiter des sujets d’actualité qui préoccupent les professionnels et experts de l’industrie.

PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE Si vous désirez plus de renseignements sur les technologies les plus récentes, des mises à jour sur les opérations en cours ou des stratégies pour augmenter le bénéfice net, le programme technique est idéal pour vous. En plus du riche contenu du programme technique, l’ICM est fier d’y inclure le 3e Symposium sur le minerai de fer. L’institut étant situé à Montréal, nous profitons de son statut bilingue pour mettre en valeur le secteur francophone de l’industrie dans des séances dédiées à la Francophonie. De plus, le programme Plan Nord, faisant référence à l’activité minière au nord du 60e parallèle, constituera une seconde « plage en diagonale ». La Francophonie Comprendre les forces, les faiblesses, les occasions et les défis de l’activité minière dans la trentaine de pays où le français est la première langue, aura un impact direct sur le rôle de l’exploration et de l’activité minière au Canada. Cette thématique mettra en lumière les activités des firmes d’approvisionnement, des gouvernements et des établissements d’enseignement situés à l’extérieur du Canada, de façon à fournir une mine de nouvelles connaissances à l’ICM. Plan Nord Le concept du Plan Nord du gouvernement du Québec est axé sur une forme de développement économique responsable socialement et durable. Chaque plage du programme inclut une séance consacrée à un aspect précis de l’activité minière dans les régions nordiques, au Québec, dans le reste du Canada ou à l’étranger, les défis et opportunités, de même que les conditions de travail dans ces sites éloignés/arctiques et aux côtés des peuples autochtones. 3e Symposium sur le minerai de fer L’ICM est fier d’offrir le troisième Symposium sur le minerai de fer de Montréal, sous la présidence honorifique de M. Yves Harvey, directeur général de COREM. La participation à cette conférence est essentielle afin d’être bien informé des pratiques exemplaires du secteur du minerai de fer. Ce symposium fait partie intégrante du Congrès et Salon commercial de l’ICM 2011, qui réunira les sommités du monde minier. Après une croissance ininterrompue de 2003 à 2008, alimentée principalement par la croissance économique phénoménale de la Chine, la fin de l’année 2008 et la majeure partie de 2009 ont été marquées par un ralentissement économique considérable et par une forte diminution des prix du minerai de fer. Après l’échec des négociations annuelles visant à établir le prix du minerai de fer entre les trois grands producteurs et les aciéristes en 2009, comme cela s’est déroulé au cours des 40 dernières années, l’année 2010 marque le début d’une nouvelle ère avec l’établissement de négociations trimestrielles visant à fixer le prix du minerai de fer. Plusieurs nouveaux projets de développement de minerai de fer sont dans le collimateur de grandes et de petites sociétés minières.

www.cim.org/montreal2011/index_fr.cfm

L’ICM — UNE COMMUNAUTÉ POUR UNE EXPERTISE DE PREMIER PLAN

PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE PROJETS

PRATIQUES EXEMPLAIRES

GESTION DES AFFAIRES ET RESSOURCES HUMAINES

LUNDI AM 9 h – 11 h 30

MARDI AM 8 h 30 – 10 h

Exploration pré-faisabilité avancée

Gestion de l’énergie

PLAN NORD Logistique

Mines en développement

SYMPOSIUM MINERAI DE FER

FRANCOPHONIE Planification de la main d’oeuvre

Meilleures pratiques en RH

Plénière Environnement

Viabilité et environnement

FRANCOPHONIE Succès dans les communautés

Santé et sécurité

Géologie I – Ressources de lithium, phosphate et de potasse

Ressources ferreuses : une revue mondiale

Mécanique des roches I

Ressources ferreuses : disponibilité et projets en développement

Géologie II – Ressources de métaux rares

Activités minières

RSE : Compréhension des attentes et pratiques CCIM – de base en matière de RSE études de cas Bonne pratique et leçons retenues en matière de RSE

Maintenance et fiabilité

PLAN NORD L'histoire Osisko (1ére partie) : Leadership & innovation exemplaires

FRANCOPHONIE Environnement

RSE : Relever la barre en matière de RSE

Systèmes de gestion et planification minières

DÎNER DANS LA SALLE D’EXPOSITION

MARDI PM 14 h – 16 h

Mines en action

MERCREDI AM 8 h 30 – 10 h

FRANCOPHONIE Développement économique régional

FRANCOPHONIE L'histoire Osisko (2ième partie) : Nouvelles pratiques exemplaires

Nouveaux concepts en opération de mines

Actionnaires (NI 43-101)

Réclamation et fermeture

Eau et droits de la personne

JOURNÉE FINANCE ET GESTION Occasions de financement non traditionnel

Gestion des résidus (M3)

Soutenir l’excellence en RSE

10 h – 10 h 30

SMART Exploitation à ciel ouvert Mécanique Technologie de des roches II recherche avancée

Concentration et bouletage I

Géologie III – Gisements de minerai associés aux intrusions mafiques

Plénière Minerai de Fer I

Nouveaux développements en technologie Mécanique et systèmes des roches III miniers avancés

Plénière Minerai de Fer II

PLAN NORD

PAUSE CAFÉ

Géologie IV – Ressources de métaux rares II

Ingénierie, entretien et fiabilité

JOURNÉE FINANCE ET GESTION Financement traditionnel

MIDI – 14 h

MERCREDI PM 14 h – 17 h

SCIENCES DE LA TERRE

PAUSE CAFÉ

MIDI – 14 h

MERCREDI AM 10 h 30 – MIDI

INNOVATION ET TECHNOLOGIE

DÎNER DANS LA SALLE D’EXPOSITION PLAN NORD Agnico-Eagle : pratiques minières pour les corporations multinationales grandissantes

10 h – 10 h 30

MARDI AM 10 h 30 – MIDI

RESPONSABILITÉ SOCIALE

PLÉNIÈRE

MIDI – 14 h

LUNDI PM 14 h – 16 h 15

ENVIRONNEMENT

PLAN NORD Environnement

Études de cas de RSE : exécution dans des champs d’application complexes

DÎNER DE CLÔTURE JOURNÉE FINANCE ET GESTION Essentiels au financement & Plénière

Concentration et bouletage II

N. B. : Vous pouvez consulter le contenu du programme technique de la version anglaise de ce programme. Toutes les séances Francophonie, Plan Nord et du Symposium sur le minerai de fer seront offertes avec services de traduction simultanée dans les deux langues officielles.

www.cim.org/montreal2011/index_fr.cfm

February 2011 | 103

22-25 mai 2011 | Montréal, Québec

ATELIERS

Norme canadienne 43-101 – Normes de divulgation concernant les projets miniers – Nouveaux règlements bientôt en vigueur

NOUVEAU! LES ATELIERS FONT MAINTENANT PARTIE DES FRAIS D’INSCRIPTION DES CONGRESSISTES. ENRICHISSEZ VOS CONNAISSANCES EN VOUS INSCRIVANT À L’UN DES ATELIERS. VEUILLEZ NOTER QUE LES ATELIERS SERONT PRÉSENTÉS EN ANGLAIS.

Ce cours sera axé sur les normes de divulgation et déclarations applicables aux entreprises d’exploration et aux compagnies minières ayant des investisseurs canadiens, à la recherche de financement au Canada, voulant être introduites à la cote ou intéressées à des fusions ou à l’acquisition d’entreprises régies par la Norme canadienne 43-101. Instructeurs : Gregory John Gosson, directeur technique, géologie et géostatistiques, et Stella Searston, géologue principale, AMEC Americas Limitée | Date : samedi et dimanche 21 et 22 mai | Heure : 8 h 30 à 16 h 30

Vers une efficacité accrue : une gestion énergétique économique et $ensée L’atelier personnalisé présenté par Ressources naturelles Canada vous enseignera tout ce que vous devez savoir sur la planification de la gestion énergétique, les occasions d’économiser l’énergie, la surveillance énergétique et le financement énergétique efficace. Découvrez les réussites en gestion énergétique, les facteurs clés de succès et l’analyse des niveaux énergétiques élevés. Évaluez les compétences organisationnelles en matière de gestion quotidienne efficace de l’énergie. Instructeur : Pierre Chantraine, Consultant en gestion de l’énergie, TDS Dixon Inc. | Date : dimanche 22 mai | Heure : 9 h à 17 h

Premières Nations : apprendre ensemble Au cours des six dernières années, Learning Together a travaillé avec plusieurs communautés des Premières Nations et partenaires de l’industrie pour partager des renseignements et aider à unifier les relations entre les groupes. Cet atelier est fondé sur les résultats des plus importantes études de cas de façon à permettre aux participants de découvrir les pratiques exemplaires concrètes et constructives des intervenants de l’industrie et des chefs de file des collectivités. Instructeurs : Lana Eagle, membre du conseil, et Juan Carlos Reyes, directeur général, Learning Together | Date : dimanche 22 mai | Heure : 9 h à 17 h

Obtention d’un permis social d’exploitation : la réalité L’obtention d’un « permis social » est une réalité croissante que les sociétés du secteur de l’extraction doivent intégrer dans leurs plans stratégiques et de gestion du risque. Cet atelier permettra aux participants d’acquérir des connaissances approfondies sur les difficultés croissantes que doivent surmonter les sociétés du secteur de l’extraction pour obtenir un permis social. Certains défis sont dus aux lois existantes ou à des modifications aux lois, et d’autres aux protesta-

DES FRAIS S’APPLIQUENT AUX EXPOSANTS, VISITEURS ET CONGRESSISTES D’UN SEUL JOUR QUI DÉSIRENT S’INSCRIRE AUX ATELIERS : 400 $ POUR LES ATELIERS DE DEUX JOURS; 350 $ POUR LES ATELIERS D’UN JOUR; 150 $ POUR LES ATELIERS D’UNE DEMI-JOURNÉE.

104 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

tions, à l’opposition et au manque de soutien communautaire qui ont récemment forcé des entreprises à cesser leurs activités. Instructeur : à déterminer | Date : dimanche 22 mai | Heure : 9 h à 17 h

Mine 101 – introduction à l’exploitation minière et à la minéralurgie

Ce cours couvre les concepts de base de l’exploitation minière et de la minéralurgie : comment trouver et construire les mines, comment traiter le minerai et éliminer les déchets et comment commercialiser les produits miniers. Il s’adresse à ceux qui travaillent dans l’industrie ou avec des gens de l’industrie, qui n’ont que peu ou aucune connaissance de l’exploitation minière ou de la minéralurgie et qui veulent se familiariser avec le vocabulaire utilisé dans l’industrie. Instructeur : Angelina Mehta, ingénieur sénior, planification stratégique, La compagnie minière IOC | Date : dimanche 22 mai | Heure : 13 h à 17 h

Le Code de gestion du cyanure – une perspective canadienne Ce cours présente un survol du Code de gestion du cyanure et des récentes expériences relatives au Code (perspectives de l’industrie, du gouvernement, d’une ONG, d’un auditeur/consultant externe). Instructeurs : Paul Bateman, président et Norm Greenwald, vice-président de l’International Cyanide Management Institute | Date : dimanche 22 mai | Heure : 13 h à 17 h

Initiative Vers le développement durable (VDMD) 2004-2011 de l’AMC Vers le développement durable (VDMD) est une stratégie conçue par l’Association minière du Canada pour améliorer le rendement de l’industrie minière en alignant ses actions avec les priorités et les valeurs des Canadiens et en trouvant un terrain d’entente avec les communautés d’intérêts. L’initiative VDMD prend fond sur une série de principes directeurs étayés par des éléments de rendement et des indicateurs. Le Groupe consultatif des communautés d’intérêts (GCCI) offre commentaires et lignes directrices pour guider l’initiative. Instructeur : Julie Gelfand, vice-présidente, développement durable, Association minière du Canada | Date : mercredi 25 mai | Heure : 9 h à 12 h

Atelier sur la gestion des parcs à résidus miniers En 1996, l'Association minière du Canada (AMC) a fondé un groupe de travail sur les résidus pour promouvoir des pratiques de gestion sécuritaires et écologiques. La plus importante réalisation du groupe de travail a été le développement et la publication d'un ensemble de trois guides pour améliorer la gestion des parcs à résidus. Dans cet atelier, les participants étudieront en survol le plan directeur de gestion des résidus de l'AMC. Ils verront également les lignes directrices pour la mise en oeuvre et l'application du plan selon les expériences des sociétés membres. Une attention particulière sera portée au guide de vérification et d'évaluation et à la relation entre les guides et les indicateurs de rendement en matière de gestion dans le cadre de l'initiative Vers le développement minier durable (VDMD) de l'AMC. Instructeur : L’association minière canadienne, groupe de travail sur les parcs à résidus miniers | Date : mercredi 25 mai | Heure : 13 h à 16 h

www.cim.org/montreal2011/index_fr.cfm

PROGRAMME SOCIAL DIMANCHE 22 MAI

LUNDI 23 MAI

RÉCEPTION DE LA SOCIÉTÉ DU CHARBON ET DES MINÉRAUX INDUSTRIELS DE L’ICM

GALA DE L’ICM

Cocktails, hors-d’oeuvre, réseautage et camaraderie sont au menu de la réception de bienvenue de la Société du charbon et des minéraux industriels. N’oubliez pas d’apporter votre carte professionnelle qui vous permettra de participer au tirage de fabuleux cadeaux. Heure : 14 h à 16 h | Lieu : Palais des congrès de Montréal | Prix : gratuit

Le Gala de l’ICM rend hommage à toutes les personnes qui contribuent à la pérennité de notre industrie. Cette soirée sera animée par Fred Keating, commanditée par Caterpillar et ses concessionnaires canadiens et mettra en vedette le virtuose du violon Ara Malikian accompagné de trois musiciens. Ce concert mariera quelques-uns des chefsd’oeuvre des grands maîtres à une variété de mélodies rock ou folk populaires, le tout accompagné d’humour et d’interaction qui transformeront le concert en spectacle et changeront le violon et le violoncelle à jamais. Heure : 18 h dans le hall de la salle 710 (réception); 19 h dans la salle 701 (repas) | Lieu : Palais des congrès de Montréal | Prix : 150 $

RÉCEPTION DE BIENVENUE Si vous cherchez une occasion de vous divertir, de rencontrer des gens et d’échanger avec eux, vous ne voudrez pas manquer la réception d’ouverture du Congrès et Salon commercial de l’ICM, commanditée par SMS/Komatsu. Les convives seront inspirés par un(e) conférencier(e) de renommée. Un buffet et de nombreux divertissements seront offerts. Heure : 17 h à 20 h | Lieu : salle d’exposition de l’ICM | Prix : compris dans les frais d’inscription

Photo courtoisie de Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

MARDI 24 MAI

DÎNER DE RÉSEAUTAGE ÉTUDIANTS-INDUSTRIE Un conférencier traitera d’un sujet d’intérêt pour les étudiants qui souhaitent faire carrière dans le secteur minier et commencent à bâtir leur réseau de contacts. Heure : 12 h à 14 h | Prix : compris dans les frais d’inscription des étudiants

RÉCEPTION VIP Des chefs de file chevronnés de l’industrie et des invités se rassembleront pour une séance de réseautage de haut niveau. Heure : 17 h à 19 h | Note : Sur invitation seulement

RÉCEPTION DU FORUM LES FEMMES EN EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE Le forum Les femmes dans l’exploitation minière sera suivi d’une réception au cours de laquelle les participants auront l’occasion d’entendre le récit captivant de Leanne Hall, Vice-présidente, ressources humaines, Noront Resources Ltd. Heure : 17 h à 19 h | Prix : 25 $ (pour l’accès à la réception; le forum étant compris dans les frais d’inscription) MERCREDI 25 MAI

PROGRAMME DE RECONNAISSANCE DES COMPÉTENCES DANS L’INDUSTRIE MINIÈRE CANADIENNE – CÉRÉMONIE D’ACCRÉDITATION

Cette cérémonie est le résultat de six ans de travail pour créer un programme permettant de reconnaître les compétences et combler une lacune au niveau de la reconnaissance professionnelle des travailleurs au plan national. Les participants pourront voir le film sur les événements d’accréditation au Canada, la remise des attestations dans les six sites pilotes et écouter les témoignages des travailleurs et des employeurs. Consommations et hors-d’oeuvre inclus. Heure : 19 h | Prix : gratuit

DÎNER DE CLÔTURE Vous et vos collègues prendrez plaisir à écouter la conférence de Rex Murphy, un mélange explosif de perspicacité, d’humour et de commentaires incisifs s’appuyant sur un vocabulaire étoffé. À la demande générale, le modérateur de la séance plénière de l’ICM à Vancouver en 2010 est de retour! Heure : 12 h à 14 h | Prix : 79 $

RÉCEPTION ET DANSE P&H Le gala P&H attisera vos sens par son atmosphère magique et tous les fêtards se trémoussant sur la piste de danse jusqu’à tard en soirée. Heure : 20 h à minuit | Lieu : salle 710, Palais des congrès de Montréal | Prix : gratuit Photo courtoisie de Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

Réseautage à volonté! Élargissez votre réseau de contacts. Un dîner et une réception auront lieu les lundi 23 mai et mardi 24 mai, de 12 h à 14 h et de 15 h 30 à 17 h, respectivement. Venez vous régaler et faire des rencontres pertinentes, tout en explorant le Salon commercial. Remarque : les frais d’inscription des participants au Congrès comprennent le dîner et un billet donnant droit à une consommation.

22-25 mai 2011 | Montréal, Québec

EXCURSIONS

FACE À FACE

La Rencontre Minière Participez au programme Face à Face, une puissante formule favorisant l’accord des volontés Découvrez la version commerciale des rencontres express! Au cours de Face à Face, les participants sont jumelés à des partenaires commerciaux potentiels les plus appropriés, selon les critères précis qu’ils ont fournis pour faire les rencontres les plus fructueuses. Chaque réunion exclusive vous permettra de déterminer des occasions d’affaires, de développer de nouvelles niches, de créer des alliances stratégiques et de trouver de nouveaux distributeurs, fournisseurs ou sous-traitants. Cadres de l’industrie minière, fournisseurs d’équipement et de services, firmes d’ingénierie et chercheurs internationaux se rencontreront dans un environnement exclusif et favorable aux affaires. Les places sont limitées. Faites partie des 150 entreprises à se prévaloir de cette occasion unique. Inscrivez-vous sur www.cim.org/montreal2011.

Le site Kittilä

Crédit : Mines Agnico-Eagle Limitée

Date : mardi 24 mai | Lieu : salle 517 | Heure : 8 h à midi | Prix : gratuit pour les donneurs d’ordre, 250 $ pour les fournisseurs exposants et 1 250 $ pour les fournisseurs non exposants | Note : Garantie de 3 rencontres

Visites de mines à Val d’Or ou LaRonde La succursale Harricana de l’ICM organise un vol nolisé de Montréal à Val d’Or pour visiter des sites miniers à Val d’Or et LaRonde. Les invités pourront visiter l’une des mines suivantes : Mines Agnico-Eagle Limitée : LaRonde, Lapa, Goldex • Alexis Minerals Corporation : Lac Herbin • Century Mining Corporation : Lamaque • Mines d’Or Wesdome : Mine Kiena • Mines Richmont : Mine Beaufor • Corporation Minière Osisko Date : mercredi 25 mai au jeudi 26 mai | Heure : départ à 17 h, retour jeudi 26 mai à 21 h | Prix : 600 $ (inclut le vol nolisé, l’hôtel, le transport par bus-navette, un déjeuner et un dîner)

Visite des installations de COREM Un consortium de recherche appliquée en traitement et transformation des substances minérales, COREM compte sur le dynamisme de l’alliance avec ses membres et partenaires pour améliorer la compétitivité des opérations industrielles par le développement et le transfert d’innovations technologiques conformes aux objectifs du développement durable. L’usine-pilote, située dans la ville de Québec, est dotée d’installations uniques en matière de concentration du minerai de fer et de boulettage et inclut un laboratoire de caractérisation pyrométallurgique. Les participants prendront ensuite part à une visite de la chute Montmorency, située à 15 minutes de Québec, et à un dîner au sommet de la chute. Date : jeudi 26 mai | Heure : départ à 6 h, retour à 18 h | Prix : 50 $ (inclut le transport en autocar et le dîner)

106 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

PROGRAMME DES ÉTUDIANTS Le programme des étudiants vise à aider ces derniers à se créer un réseau de contacts alors qu’ils évaluent les possibilités de carrières offertes dans notre industrie. Voici comment l’ICM fait le pont entre les étudiants de niveau postsecondaire et les professionnels : lorsqu’ils s’inscrivent au congrès et au salon commercial, les étudiants deviennent gratuitement membres de l’ICM pendant un an. Ils ont également accès à plusieurs occasions de réseautage ainsi qu’aux technologies de pointe et aux connaissances techniques de l’industrie, par l’intermédiaire des activités suivantes : Programme technique incluant le Symposium sur le minerai de fer; Accès gratuit aux présentations techniques en ligne; Salon de l’ICM, salon M4S et foire de l’emploi de l’ICM; Forum Les femmes dans l’exploitation minière; Réception d’ouverture et cocktail en soirée de l’ICM; Dîner sur les lieux du salon commercial, le lundi; Dîner de réseautage étudiants-industrie, le mardi; Réception et danse P&H, le mardi soir; Réception de la Société du charbon et des minéraux industriels de l’ICM.

Concours d’affiches pour étudiants Faites partie des étudiants qui exposeront leurs connaissances devant d’éminents professionnels de l’industrie. Votre affiche peut porter sur une vaste gamme de sujets, de la géologie au développement durable en passant par l’exploitation minière. Des prix en argent seront remis à des étudiants du premier cycle et des cycles supérieurs. Soumettez un résumé de 200 mots en ligne le vendredi 1er avril au plus tard à http://www.cim.org/ montreal2011/conference/CallForPapers.cfm.

Table ronde Les étudiants et des experts de l’industrie ont l’occasion de se concentrer sur des connaissances minières pratiques, d’échanger des renseignements et de partager leurs expériences. Le salon M4S a été élargi pour permettre aux étudiants de niveau postsecondaire et professionnel de prendre part à des discussions sur des sujets d’actualité dans le domaine des minéraux et de l’industrie minière. Les principaux thèmes incluent : Responsabilité sociale des entreprises; Santé et sécurité; Conception minière et exploitation; Équipementiers/approvisionnement/services; Réseautage et communications; Leadership et gestion des affaires; Relations internationales et Carrières.

Dîner de réseautage étudiants-industrie Développez votre réseau de contacts dans l’industrie et familiarisez-vous avec les perspectives de carrière et les possibilités d’affaires. Ce dîner de réseautage est également une excellente occasion de partager les connaissances acquises. Date : Mardi 24 mai | Heure : 12 h à 14 h | Prix : compris dans les frais d’inscription des étudiants

www.cim.org/montreal2011/index_fr.cfm

PROGRAMME DES INVITÉS CHAQUE MATIN, DU 23 AU 25 MAI, LA SUITE DE RÉCEPTION DES INVITÉS, SITUÉE DANS LA SALLE ALPHONSE ROULEAU DE L’HÔTEL HYATT, SERA OUVERTE POUR LE PETIT-DÉJEUNER CONTINENTAL GRATUIT, DE 8 H À 10 H 30. LA SUITE SERVIRA DE POINT DE DÉPART POUR LES ACTIVITÉS ORGANISÉES À L’INTENTION DES INVITÉS.

Photo courtoisie de VDM Global DMC

SAVEURS ET ARÔMES DU VIEUX-MONTRÉAL Cette balade vous fera découvrir les charmes culinaires, culturels et historiques du plus ancien quartier de Montréal. Au détour des rues étroites, on vous entraînera à l’intérieur de boutiques pour déguster des créations culinaires, en compagnie d’un guide qui vous nourrira de ses commentaires historiques et gastronomiques tout au long du parcours et mentionnera, entre autres, l’influence de la culture amérindienne sur les habitudes alimentaires, l’histoire des religieuses et des bonnes manières, l’Expo 67 et ses explosions de saveurs. Date : dimanche 22 mai | Heure : 13 h 30 à 17 h | Prix : 55 $ (inclut les dégustations pendant la visite) | Code vestimentaire : décontracté et bonnes chaussures

JOURNÉE DANS LES CANTONS DE L’EST

LA VALLÉE DU RICHELIEU ET LA RÉGION DES POMMES

À moins d’une heure de Montréal, ce coin de pays appelé « Cantons de l’Est » est la région la plus au sud du Québec, et un mélange subtil de charme québécois et anglo-saxon offert dans un écrin de beauté. Par des chemins verdoyants, vous filerez vers le village victorien de Knowlton, flânerez dans les boutiques d’antiquaires et visiterez ensuite un vignoble de la région de Dunham sur la route des vins. Dîner champêtre et dégustations de vins dans le meilleur vignoble de la région seront au menu. Date : lundi 23 mai | Heure : 9 h 30 à 16 h | Prix : 95 $ (inclut le transport, le dîner et la dégustation de vin pendant la visite) | Code vestimentaire : décontracté et bonnes chaussures

Au pied des rapides de la rivière Richelieu, le Fort Chambly, érigé en 1711, témoigne du passé militaire de la Nouvelle-France. Jadis une importante voie maritime, le Richelieu offre aujourd’hui un panorama d’une grande beauté. Situées dans un climat propice à la culture maraîchère, les collines Montérégiennes regorgent de pommiers. La visite d’une cidrerie à Rougemont et d’une chocolaterie au mont St-Hilaire complètera cette escapade champêtre. Le dîner sera servi dans un établissement typique de la Nouvelle-France. Date : mardi 24 mai | Heure : 9 h 30 à 16 h | Prix : 95 $ (inclut le transport, le dîner et la dégustation de vin pendant la visite) | Code vestimentaire : décontracté et bonnes chaussures

UNE EXCURSION MÉMORABLE Venez assister à une présentation captivante de Sunniva Sorby. Le 14 janvier 1993, Sunniva Sorby a marqué l’histoire avec une équipe de quatre femmes en participant à une expédition dans l’Antarctique. Elles ont atteint le Pôle Sud après avoir parcouru un voyage de 700 milles à travers la neige et les glaciers de l’Antarctique. En mai 1999, Sunniva a aussi dirigé une équipe de trois personnes qui ont franchi une distance de plus de 350 milles pour traverser la pointe du Groenland d’est en ouest en 33 jours. Elle est la première Canadienne à avoir traversé le Groenland et le Pôle Sud en ski. Date : mercredi 25 mai | Heure : 9 h à 10 h 30 | Prix : compris dans les frais d’inscription des invités

22-25 mai 2011 | Montréal, Québec

(anciennement Les mines dans la société)

Crédit : Normand Huberdeau / NH Photographes Ltée

M4S

M4S L’exposition éducative sur les Mines, Minéraux, Métaux et Matériaux Le très acclamé salon Les mines dans la société a fait peau neuve. Renommé M4S pour mieux refléter la totalité des activités minières à travers les mines, minéraux, métaux et matériaux, sa mission demeure d’éduquer le public sur l’impact de l’exploitation minière dans notre vie quotidienne. Le 6e salon M4S est l’endroit idéal pour informer le public des possibilités de carrières dans l’industrie minière, tout en abattant les mythes qui persistent. C’est une occasion pour nous tous de consolider l’avenir de l’industrie et des générations futures. Comme seule l’exploitation minière ne brosse pas le tableau complet, les quatre « M » de M4S représentent les 4 piliers de notre secteur : Mines, Minéraux, Métaux et Matériaux. Le salon M4S a accueilli 6 000 visiteurs l’an dernier, dont 85 % étaient des étudiants âgés de 10 à 16 ans. Ce salon interactif permettra aux visiteurs à Montréal de traverser le cycle des activités de notre industrie en visitant ces pavillons :

Exploration • Exploitation • Traitement Développement durable • Transformation et produits Éducation • Santé et Sécurité • Arpentage • Uranium La participation au salon M4S, à titre d’exposant, est gratuite et donne l’occasion aux organisations de faire preuve de leadership dans tous les aspects du cycle minier. Le salon M4S ouvrira ses portes au grand public lundi, le 23 mai. Enseignants et étudiants visiteront le salon mardi et mercredi, les 24 et 25 mai.

108 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

Entreprises participantes à ce jour : L’Association minière du Canada Atlas Copco Cansel Cégep de Sept-Îles Club de minéralogie de Montréal Comité sectoriel de main d’œuvre de l’industrie des mines La Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST) Conseil des ressources humaines de l’industrie minière (RHiM) De Beers Canada École Polytechnique Montréal Genivar Goldcorp Golder Associates Ltd. Hewitt Équipement Limitée Leica Geosystems Mines Agnico-Eagle Limitée Ordre des géologues du Québec PDAC Mining Matters P&H MinePro Services Rockwell Automation La société de la métallurgie et des matériaux de l’ICM Suncor Energy Teck Resources Limited Université McGill Xstrata

www.cim.org/montreal2011/index_fr.cfm

L’ICM — UNE COMMUNAUTÉ POUR UNE EXPERTISE DE PREMIER PLAN

SALON COMMERCIAL DE L’ICM

FORUM SUR LES FEMMES EN EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE

Crédit : www.mikawaa.com

Se tenir au courant des innovations technologiques dans un univers en constante évolution est une tâche monumentale, mais essentielle pour demeurer concurrentiel. Voilà pourquoi les acheteurs, planificateurs, ingénieurs, chercheurs, dirigeants et experts techniques canadiens prennent part au Salon de l’ICM. C’est l’endroit par excellence pour rencontrer les meilleurs équipementiers et fournisseurs de services de l’industrie. La liste complète des exposants et de leurs numéros de stands se situe du côté anglais du présent programme. Leanne Hall

Mardi, le 24 mai Forum : 15 h à 19 h

Pousser au delà des limites Les participants au forum Les femmes en exploitation minière, auront l’occasion d’assister aux témoignages des membres d’un panel de femmes parmi les plus en vue de l’industrie minière d’aujourd’hui. Les panélistes feront part aux participants de leur expérience de travail dans l’industrie. Il s’agit d’un événement à ne pas manquer, tant pour les hommes que pour les femmes. Prix : inclus dans le prix d’une pleine inscription à la conférence. Un frais de 50 $ s’applique aux visiteurs. Réception : 17 h à 19 h Le forum Les femmes en exploitation minière sera suivi d’une réception, au cours de laquelle les participants auront l’occasion d’entendre le récit captivant de Leanne Hall, Viceprésidente, ressources humaines, Noront Resources Ltd. Pour congressistes et exposants, l’entrée au forum est gratuite, alors que des frais de 25 $ sont exigés pour assister à la réception.

FOIRE DE L’EMPLOI DE L’ICM Vous souhaitez changer d’emploi, vous perfectionner ou réorienter votre carrière? Pour être au fait des perspectives d’emploi, assistez à la foire de l’emploi qui se tiendra dans le cadre du salon commercial de l’ICM. Les entreprises ayant déjà confirmé leur présence incluent : Agrium Partnership Cameco Corporation Canadian Natural Resources Limited - Horizon Oil Sands Detour Gold Goldcorp Imperial Oil Ltd. Public Service Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador Quadra FNX Rio Tinto The Mosaic Company Vale

JF01 JF11 JF06 JF03 JF08 JF09 JF02 JF12 JF07 JF05 JF04

Ne ratez pas cette occasion de rencontrer un grand nombre d’employeurs potentiels réunis sous un même toit!

www.cim.org/montreal2011/index_fr.cfm

February 2011 | 109

HISTORY OF

economic geology The foundations of modern economic geology (Part 1) By R. J. (Bob) Cathro, Chemanius, British Columbia

“Mines are short-lived. They yield a harvest that is gathered only once. Nine mines out of ten are sold for more than they are worth; more money is made by selling than by buying them… A man usually buys a mine not because it is worth the price he gives for it, but because he is justified in the expectation of finding someone who will pay more for it. The second man hopes to meet a third with more money and less sense. So the game proceeds… Do not blame the industry. It is no more responsible for these vagaries than the man who breeds thoroughbred horses is to blamed for the dishonesties of the turf… Good sense and ordinary care are as much needed in mining as in any other occupation, and the lack of them meets the same punishment.” (from The Bankers’ Magazine, 1898; Rickard, 1910)

110 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

The last two dozen articles in this series have focused on six major mining camps and deposit types that were discovered in the southwestern United States between 1850 and 1900: California Motherlode, Comstock, Homestake, Butte, Bingham, and Nevada-type Gold. They were chosen because they were among the most influential discoveries during that period, measured by their immediate and lasting impact on global exploration. As it turns out, that exploration and research led rapidly to the modern renaissance of the branch of science called economic or mining geology. This series initially traced the study of the origin of metals from Eastern Europe, in the age of Agricola, to France and Scotland — where the link was recognized between metals and the processes that produced volcanic and plutonic rocks — and finally to Cornwall. It is easy to forget that prior to the California Gold Rush, most economic geologists were members of specialized local guilds in the tin/copper districts of Erzegebirge and Cornwall or were engaged in coal and iron mining. They had been trained mainly as mining engineers in a dozen institutes in Europe and Great Britain. Geology had been restricted to stratigraphy, mineralogy and paleontology. In the words of Thomas Rickard (1910): “The study of ore deposits for a hundred years owed its progress to German research. In England, the detection of fossils and the correlation of strata absorbed the attention of geologists to the exclusion of investigation into the nature of the mineral aggregates that are the subject of mining… Englishmen founded geology and Germans started the systematic study of ore deposits; but it was in America that economic geology won proper recognition… “Indeed, not only did geology give the cold shoulder to mining but when geologists condescended to be interested in mineral deposits, they made blunders highly perplexing even to those willing to accept scientific aid. Thus Murchison rashly enunciated the generalization that the Silurian rocks were particularly favorable to gold veins, basing this broad statement on his knowledge of the Ural region; and when gold was discovered in Australia in slate and sandstone of Silurian age, he congratulated himself on the confirmation of his dictum. Later, he interpreted the scanty data at his disposal as warranting the inference that deep mining in the solid quartz rock is usually unprofitable. No wonder the miner looked askance at the geologist, so that there was a lack of cooperation between the young science and the venerable industry. Moreover, the idea obtained in England that geology stooped to commercialism when she concerned herself with mining… “This tradition in effect prevented English geologists from attempting to unravel the complexities of ore occurrence. A notable example is afforded by the Geological Society (London). This organization was founded by the fathers of modern geology, and in its records will be found the presentation of the principles that constitute the very foundations of the science. Yet the sum total of the information concerning ore deposits to be found in the journals of the Geological Society is negligible. Englishmen as geologists occupy a position second to none; as contributors to the study of ore deposits they are nowhere. I impute the poverty of result entirely to the fact that men of culture have deemed it undignified to make commercial use of the scientific knowledge.” Economic geology only became a ”dignified” profession after it made the jump to North America. It will surprise and perhaps disappoint many geologists to learn that the first economic geologists in North America were educated as

HISTORY OF

economic geology mining or civil engineers, simply because of the American Institute of Mining engineering was the best training available Engineers (AIME) at one time. at the time. Included were engineers such Only one of Thomas’ seven children was as Thomas Rickard (1864-1953), an born in Great Britain because of his freEnglish graduate of the Royal School of quent foreign assignments. TA was born at Mines in London; Waldemar Lindgren Pertusola, situated close to Spezia on the (1860-1939), a Swedish graduate of the northwest coast of Italy, where his father Bergakademie at Freiberg, Germany; managed a silver-lead smelter. Three years Rossiter W. Raymond (1840-1918), an later, the family lived near a silver-lead American educated at the Brooklyn mine at Andeers, Switzerland, and soon Polytechnic Institute, the Bergakademie at after they had moved to the Pashkoff Freiberg, and Heidelberg and Munich uniEstates, on the eastern side of the Ural versities; and Richard P. Rothwell (1836Mountains in Russia, where his father man1901), a Canadian (born at Oxford, aged a native copper mine. As a result, TA Ontario) educated at the Rensselaer was fluent in German and Russian before Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York, T.A. Rickard in 1935 (from Rickard, 1937) he was sent to England in 1875 to attend the Royal School of Mines and the private school. Although he spent only his Bergakademie at Freiberg. They represent school years in England, he was always a small minority of mining engineers at that time who proud of his Cornish heritage and considered himself an learned some basic geology during their technical training Englishman. He entered the Royal School of Mines in and early field careers, and also had a natural interest in the London in 1882, the first member of his family to attend geology of the mines they visited. In addition, they achieved university. great influence because of their skills in observation and As soon as he graduated in 1885, he moved to Idaho communication. Springs, Colorado, to join his uncle Alfred who managed Good mining engineers were in great demand during the several mines in the vicinity. This was the beginning of what rapid growth of the mining industry in the latter half of the he called his four-year apprenticeship, which enabled him 19th century, and some had an opportunity to travel widely to travel widely in Colorado, an important centre of gold throughout North America and to new mining districts mining at the time, and also to visit the Union Mine in around the world. Although they probably did not realize it Calaveras County, California, which was managed by his at the time, they were helping to establish the foundations of uncle Reuben. When he was offered some work in economic geology. Australia, it gave him an opportunity to visit Mount The next few articles will examine some of the factors Morgan, Broken Hill and Bendigo, followed by a tour of the that enabled economic geology and the mining industry to gold placers at Otaga, New Zealand. Next, he went to grow so quickly. These included the establishment of: high- Dauphinee, France, near the Italian border, to manage some quality mining newspapers and technical journals, which silver-lead mines for his father. were the 19th century equivalent of today’s Internet; techniThe next 12 years, from 1889 to 1902, were very strenucal associations that provided forums for discussion at con- ous for TA. During this period, he averaged about 55,000 ferences; new university departments and schools of mines kilometres of travel annually — which included two trips for training economic geologists and conducting research; around the world — as a consulting engineer and mine and federal and state/provincial geological surveys in the manager. This was a time when land travel was by train, United States, Canada and worldwide, which adopted an horse or stagecoach, and ocean travel was by steamer. increased focus on economic geology. Communication was by telegraph. He maintained an office The initial emphasis will be on those who had an influ- at Denver but was home only once for longer than a week ential early impact due to their roles as both geologists and during his first year of marriage in 1897. journalists/authors, such as Thomas Arthur Rickard. “TA,” TA wrote frequently for the Engineering and Mining as he was called, was perfectly groomed for this role. His Journal (EMJ) during those years, mostly reviews of mines father, grandfather and great grandfather were all Cornish or districts, with a strong emphasis on the structure, wall mining experts who were called “Captain” in the Cornish rocks and mineralization. Between 1891 and 1902, he pubtradition. His father Thomas had been one of the first min- lished 17 papers and nine letters in EMJ plus two longer ing engineers to visit the California goldfields, bringing a papers in both the Transactions of the British and American sectional stamp mill with him by land across the Isthmus Institutes of Mining Engineers. The geographic breadth was of Panama in 1850 (Cathro, 2007). Thomas Sr. had four impressive: Australia and New Zealand — seven papers and mining engineer brothers, William Henry, Richard White, six letters; general geological topics – six papers and one letReuben and Alfred. Other family members who pursued a ter; Cripple Creek – three papers and one letter; France – mining career were TA’s brother Forbes and three of his two papers; and one paper on Ontario (Lake of the Woods cousins. In fact, eight members of his family were members District) and one letter on Arizona. February 2011 | 111

HISTORY OF

economic geology Among other noteworthy events, TA had developed a personal interest in telluride minerals while examining mines in Colorado and at Kalgoorlie, Australia. In 1902, he visited the Good Hope Mine near Gunnison and found an unusual copper mineral that gave a positive test for tellurium. It was later identified as a new copper telluride that was named “rickardite” by a mineralogist at Yale University. He was also named State Geologist of Colorado, a largely ceremonial position, from 1895 to 1901. A bad experience in 1899 persuaded TA that it was time to make a career change that would permit him to spend more time at home. It was his calculation of the ore reserves of the Independence Mine, located in the Cripple Creek district of Colorado and one of the richest gold mines in the United States. The sampling and estimation was done for Venture Corporation of London, which used the report to purchase the mine for $10 million from the owner, Winfield S. Stratton. Unfortunately, the report incorporated some overly optimistic assumptions and errors that resulted in Venture paying too much for the mine. According to the National Mining Hall of Fame, that was the largest mining transaction the world had seen at the time.

Rickard was quite familiar with this district; in fact, he published an important paper on it the next year (Rickard, 1900). He had also worked at this mine before. It was even more embarrassing for him because he was an acknowledged authority on mine sampling and ore reserve estimation. A few years later, he even edited and published a textbook on the subject (Rickard, 1903). The blame for the error is difficult to determine now although Rickard took full responsibility. Perhaps he was too busy to supervise everything personally and felt comfortable delegating some of the work because he had calculated the reserves a couple of years earlier. His mistake was in relying on the mine manager and foremen who failed to advise him that the mineralization was becoming narrower and that the sampling had fallen behind schedule. He was quite circumspect in discussing the matter in his autobiography: “The Stratton’s Independence affair caused me much worry, and chagrin. I might go into the details of the fiasco, but to do so would involve censure of the performances of three prominent men… So long as I examined relatively small mines for individuals, my work as a consulting engineer was delightful… But when I was called upon to report upon mines the purchase of which involved millions of dollars, I found out that I had to be mixed up in a kind of business for which I had a decided distaste… Therefore when an opportunity came to turn aside to literary work, I did not hesitate. In July of 1902 I was offered the editorship of the ‘Engineering and Mining Journal’, at New York. I accepted.”

Acknowledgment Some of the quotations above appeared in my first article in this series, which was published in Geolog, the newsmagazine of the Geological Association of Canada (Cathro, 2003). After four articles, the GAC decided to go in a different direction and this series moved to the CIM Bulletin (now CIM Magazine) in 2005. Much of the background information on Rickard was derived from his autobiography (Rickard, 1937). CIM

References Cathro, R. J. (2003). Geologists and engineers. Geolog, 32(1),19-20. Cathro, R. J. (2007). California gold (part 1). CIM Magazine, 2(6), 8991. Rickard, T. A. (1900). The Cripple Creek Goldfield. London: Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Transactions, 1899-1900, 8, 49-111. Rickard, T. A. (Ed.) (1903). The sampling and estimation of ore in a mine. Engineering and Mining Journal, 222 p. Rickard, T. A. (1910). Geology applied to mining. San Francisco: Mining and Scientific Press, April 2 (p. 479-481) and April 9 (p. 516-518). Rickard, T. A. (1937). Retrospect: an autobiography. New York: Whittlesey House, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. 402p.

112 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

HISTORICAL

metallurgy Social problems in the mining industry — a historical essay (Part 1) By Fathi Habashi, Laval University, Quebec City

Introduction Throughout history, miners have struggled to survive harsh living and working conditions. Disputes between mine owners and workers were frequent, and strikes and lockouts were common, mostly unsuccessful and frequently ending in violence or even death. Mining companies held a great deal of control over their employees. Employers’ rights were enforced, often with the assistance of the police, military, magistrates and governments. Most miners lived in company towns where homes, schools, doctors, clergy and law enforcement were provided by the company. In addition, many mining companies paid their employees in “script” (pieces of paper that were only accepted at company-owned stores), which often resulted in miners becoming deeply indebted to the company store. As government regulations in the mining industry were practically nonexistent, workers were poorly paid, worked long hours and dealt with unsafe working conditions. Companies maintained an oppressive working environment, prohibiting workers from talking or gathering, to discourage the creation of unions. Mining companies also steadily reduced their investment in the town and its amenities while increasing prices at the company store. If a miner participated in union-bulding activities, he was either blacklisted or fired, thus rendering him unemployable. It was typical in the early days of the coal industry to pay miners by the ton of coal mined and not compensate them for any other work they did to make the mine operable, such as laying rails, installing wooden supports, etc. As oil and natural gas became more popular sources of energy,

A company store in Harlan, Kentucky, in the 1930s

economic conditions in the coal mining regions deteriorated even further.

The mining community Mining is an integral part of society. The following sections relate some of the factors that have influenced working conditions in the mining community over time.

Labour Day and the unions Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated worldwide to honour the economic and social achievements of workers. In the United States and Canada, it is celebrated on the first Monday in September; however, the majority of countries around the world celebrate on May 1. Labour Day originates from the movement by Robert Owen (17711858) in 1817 advocating the eight-hour work day. The International Working Men’s Association, a socialist organization founded in 1864 in London aimed at uniting different left-wing political groups and trade union organizations, favoured a May 1 labour holiday. The Knights of Labour was a union founded in 1869 by a group of Philadelphia tailors that demanded an end to child and convict labour, equal pay for women, a progressive income tax and the cooperative employer-employee ownership of mines and factories. They organized a parade on September 5, 1882, in New York City, which became an annual event. Following Chicago’s Haymarket riots in early May of 1886 [see below], U.S. President Grover Cleveland feared that a May 1 holiday would commemorate the riots and as such, in 1887, he supported the Knights of Labour’s suggestion to celebrate Labour Day in September.

Stamp celebrating 100 years in the former German Democratic Republic

Robert Owen, a Welsh social reformer and one of the founders of socialism and the cooperative movement February 2011 | 113

HISTORICAL

metallurgy The United Mine Workers of America reprePrivate security guards In New Spain (now Mexico), mine sents workers in the mining sector that fought owners were allowed to organize a prifor collective bargaining in the early 20th cenvate army to terrorize workers should tury. It was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in they disobey or dissent. In the United 1890 by the merger of two groups. The followStates, the Pinkerton National Detective ing year, the union successfully achieved their Agency (“the Pinkertons”), was a prigoal of an eight-hour work day. Around 1917, vate U.S. security guard and detective the group comprised about 90 per cent of minagency established by Allan Pinkerton ers and achieved collective bargaining rights in (1819-1884), in partnership with a 1933. Two years later, as part of U.S. President Chicago attorney, in 1850. Their misFranklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal,” progressive sion was to solve a series of train roblabour legislation protected the rights of most beries as the United States expanded in workers in the private sector to organize labour territory and rail transportation unions, take part in strikes and collective barincreased. gaining. It also barred employers from firing Allan Pinkerton was born in Glasgow, Following the outbreak of the Civil workers who participated in union activities. and immigrated to the United War, Pinkerton served as the head of In 1969, the United Mine Workers of Scotland, States at the age of 23. the Union Intelligence Service in America convinced the United States Congress 1861-62 and foiled an alleged assassito enact the Federal Coal Mine Health and nation plot against Abraham Lincoln, who was in Safety Act, which provided compensation for miners sufferBaltimore on his way to his inauguration. Pinkerton’s ing from black lung disease. The union’s history is filled with agents often worked undercover as Confederate soldiers examples of members and their supporters violently clashing and sympathizers in an effort to gather military intelliwith company-hired strikebreakers and government forces. gence. Following service with the Union Army, In Canada, coal miners in Nova Scotia were first organPinkerton continued his pursuit of train robbers and also ized in 1897 by the Provincial Workmen’s Association. In sought to oppose labour unions. In 1872, the Spanish 1917, it joined forces with the United Mine Workers of government hired him to help suppress a revolution in America and formed the Amalgamated Mine Workers of Cuba that intended to end slavery. Nova Scotia. The 1941-42 Kirkland Lake gold miners’ strike During the labour unrest in the late 19th century, busifor union recognition influenced the eventual passage of colnessmen hired Pinkerton agents to infiltrate unions and lective bargaining legislation in Canada in 1944, similar to pose as guards to keep strikers and suspected unionists out that of 1935 in the United States. of factories. The Pinkertons were also used as guards in International Labour Organization coal, iron and lumber disputes in Illinois, Michigan, New Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the International York and Pennsylvania, as well as the during railroad Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United strikes of 1887. Nations that deals with labour issues (its secretariat is At the time of his death, Pinkerton was working on a known as the International Labour Office). Based on the ini- system that would centralize all criminal identification tiative of French socialist Albert Thomas (1878-1932), the records, a database now maintained by the Federal organization was established as an agency of the League of Bureau of Investigation. After his death, the agency conNations following the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which tinued to operate and soon became a major force against ended World War I. France issued a stamp in Thomas’ hon- the young labour movement developing in the United our on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the organiza- States and Canada. This effort tarnished the image of the tion’s founding, while Switzerland issued a stamp showing a Pinkertons, who were involved in numerous activities miner at work. In 1969, the International Labour opposing labour movements during the late 19th and Organization received the Nobel Peace Prize. early 20th centuries. Many labor sympathizers accused the Pinkertons of Scabs inciting riots in order to discredit unions and justify police A scab (or strikebreaker) is someone who works despite crackdowns. The Pinkertons’ reputation was harmed by an ongoing strike, who refuses to join a union or who works their protection of replacement workers and the businesses for less pay. Confrontations between striking miners and of major industrialists. As long as employers had a steady scabs often get out of control, resulting in bloodshed. supply of workers, especially ones willing to work for less Companies have often had to hire a detective agency to pro- than what current employees received, strikers had little tect the scabs or replacement workers from strikers. chance of having their demands fulfilled.

114 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

HISTORICAL

metallurgy

Chinese immigrants bound for California in 1876 to settle throughout the American West

Federal soldiers deployed in 1885 to quell racial riots at Rock Springs, Wyoming

Civil Liberties Committee The Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee Investigating Violations of Free Speech and the Rights of Labor known as La Follette Civil Liberties Committee, which was named after its chairman, Robert M. La Follette, Jr. (1896-1953), a Republican and Progressive Party senator from Wisconsin, began in response to an inquiry into a National Labor Relations Board investigation of methods used by employers in certain industries to avoid collective bargaining with unions. Between 1936 and 1941, the subcommittee published reports on the use of industrial espionage, private police systems, strike-breaking services, munitions in industrial warfare, and employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; associations to break strikes and disrupt legal union activities. The committee reported that the number of working labour spies from 1933 to 1937 totalled 3,871. Private security firms like Pinkerton National Detective Agency were employed to infiltrate labour unions. The committee concluded that espionage was the most efficient method known to management to prevent unions from forming, to weaken them if they secured a foothold, and to thwart any endeavours. The inquiry by the committee failed to achieve any effective regulatory legislation that might have curtailed the worst practices of strike-breaking agencies, but the revelations enraged the public.

December 12, 1860, the first disturbance grew out of a demonstration organized by a white minersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; vigilance committee against gambling dens and other alleged vices. After venting their rage on these establishments, the miners attacked the Chinese quarter of the settlement, killing several people and wounding many others. Other attacks followed and eventually, the Chinese Robert M. La Follette, Jr. miners had to abandon the fields. Tension between whites and Chinese immigrants in the American West was particularly high. The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act suspended Chinese immigration for ten years, but not before thousands of immigrants had already come. Most Chinese immigrants who settled in Wyoming initially took jobs in the railroad industry, but many ended up employed in the coal mines owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. As Chinese immigration increased, so did the antiChinese sentiment by white people. The Knights of Labor, one of the foremost voices against Chinese immigrant labour, formed a chapter in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in 1883, and most rioters were members of that organization. As white miners (mostly Swedish, Welsh, Irish and Cornish immigrants) believed that lower paid Chinese labourers drove down their wages, resentment reached an all-time high and led to the Rock Springs Massacre of September 2, 1885. Rioters even set fire to Chinese homes. When the rioting ended, at least 28 Chinese miners were dead and many others were wounded. CIM

Racism and mining Racism was sometimes the reason behind unrest among the workers. For example, when gold was discovered in the summer of 1860 near the settlement of Lambing Flat (now Young), white and Chinese miners flocked there. Not long after, a wave of antiChinese disturbances in the goldfields of New South Wales in Australia led to restriction of Chinese immigration. On

A medal souvenir made by an Austrian artist for Minersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day in Leoben

February 2011 | 115

Mine Your Opportunities

professional directory CIM Magazine reaches the industry’s top buyers in Canada and around the world.

3URYLG 0DQD

UXFWLRQ H *OREDO

'LVFLSOLQH 6XUYH\

&LYLO DQ 0XOWL G

: :

VWUXFWDELOLW\

& 2 0

A combination of advertising opportunities will take your marketing campaign to the next level.

+PZWSH` HKZ 6USPUL HK]LY[PZPUN 1VI IVHYKZ , UL^ZSL[[LY ZWVUZVYZOPW +PNP[HS LKP[PVU ZWVUZVYZOPW

ENERGY | MINING AND METALS

Mine your ultimate business potential. Call today for more information!

Water treatment specialists for the mining industry.

Janet Jeffery Neal Young Janet Jeffery Joe Crofts jjeffery@dvtail.com nyoung@dvtail.com jjeffery@dvtail.com jcrofts@dvtail.com 905.886.6641 x. 329 905.886.6641 x. 325

» Clean technologies for metal recovery and sulphate removal » ŽŵƉůǇ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞŐƵůĂƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƌĞĚƵĐĞ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ůŝĂďŝůŝƟĞƐ » Lower life cycle costs

905.886.6641 X329

905.886.6641 X310

www.bioteq.ca 1-800-537-3073

116 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

ad index

ADVERTISERS IFC 33 27 OBC 23 62 11 IBC 57 56 3 21 15 29 39 25 77 35 61 17 47 63 19 36 60 75 70 34 7 9 18 14 31 58 64 55 73 65 67 45 59 116, 117

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited AMC Consultants AMEC ArcelorMittal Bestech BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc. Boart Longyear Bridgestone BTI Rock Breaker Technology Ltd. Cameco Caterpillar Cattron Group International Continental Conveyor Ltd. Corem Discovery International Geophysics DMC Mining Services EBA Engineering Endress+Hauser Eriez Magnetics FLSmidth Garda GEA Barr-Rosin Gekko Systems Golder Associates HCI Steel Building Systems Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. KBR Kiewit Construction Kinecor Metso Minerals Industries, Inc. MiHR Mintec Norwest Corporation Polydeck Screen Corporation Rio Tinto SMS Equipment SRK Consultants Superior Propane University of Alberta Wardrop Yukon Government, Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources Professional Directory & Product Files

In the next issue From mines to market: The output of key commodities continues to ramp up. Are we prepared move these higher volumes? We explore the transportation challenges confronting the industry from coast to coast to coast. A Q&A with ZoŃ&#x2018; Yujnovich, president of Iron Ore Company of Canada

Project Profile: Labrador Iron Mines approaches production at direct shipping ore project in western Labrador Engineering Exchange moves to Upfront: The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest autoclaves on the slow road to Pueblo Viejo Commodity focus: Iron ore

BBA B.I.D. Canada Ltd. BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc. Independent Mining Consultants Praetorian Construction Management

February 2011 | 117

voices from industry

Creating a culture of innovation By Douglas Morrison, deputy director, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)

n some ways, creating a culture of innovation is easy — people have a natural gift for creativity; the challenge is not to stifle it. There are several factors that allow a culture of innovation to develop and these are coming together as never before.

Openness: There are many good people with good ideas out there, and the most important step in creating a culture of innovation is being open to new ideas. Of course, we cannot do everything at once. Any research organization with a particular focus, such as mining, has to manage the development of new ideas in the context of all the other things that are going on at that time. So rather than say “no,” we may say “not yet,” or “how about we try it this way.” But in saying no to someone’s idea it is important not to discourage them from bringing other ideas forward. Practicality: Another consideration is what outcomes you want. People want to see new ideas result in a change in how things are done by mining companies. That is why CEMI (Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation) is not a centre “of” excellence, it is the centre “for” excellence in innovation. Our focus is not to retain innovation in a static centre but, rather, to make sure these ideas translate into innovations that are implemented in the real world. Significance: An important factor in innovation is the scale of change — focusing attention on innovations that will result in a “step change” in the way the industry does things. Many of our partner and client organizations in industry have internal programs focused on continuous improvement. These will always have a role to play, but I believe the mining industry today is facing major challenges that can be addressed only with a significant departure from current practice. Challenge: People will always be motivated to rise to a challenge. Current demand is such that in the next 25 years, we have to produce the same amount of copper, nickel, zinc and steel that has ever been produced in the world historically. We have to do this at a time when existing deposits are harder to mine and process, and when discoveries in remote locations lack the infrastructure that could bring these resources to market. It is increasingly difficult to supply remote mine sites with water, power and 118 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 6, No. 1

material, and climate change could make this ever more difficult. We need to reduce the footprint of existing operations and ensure that future operations have a much smaller environmental impact than ever before, all while enhancing the economy and the social fabric of those communities living close to mining operations. Synergies: The range of technical disciplines that have to be brought in to address the issues confronting the mining industry in the 21st century is far broader than ever before. In addition to the traditionally required geologists and engineers, we will be drawing on the expertise of specialists in biology, ecology, chemistry, biochemistry, climatology, as well as social sciences and commerce to work together. The advantage of this approach is that crossfertilization from many disciplines makes for a more dynamic and interesting intellectual environment. Enthusiasm: An influx of new people also brings a level of enthusiasm that has been missing from mining research in recent years. For too long, industry’s response to new ideas has been “that won’t work” or “we tried that already,” perpetuating the mindset that nothing radically new can be done. This may have helped companies survive during the 25 to 30 years of low or fluctuating commodity prices, but that era has come to an end. Demographically, we need a huge influx of young people — a generation that wants to make a positive difference in the world. We need to make them realize that this is an industry that can offer an exciting and dynamic professional environment. Yes, mining companies have to focus on production issues, but those that also take a prominent role in supporting and funding research and innovation will attract the best and brightest from every field. Timing: The final critical ingredient for creating a culture of innovation is simply timing. The major mining corporations all recognize that almost every aspect of the way their mines will function in the future will change significantly. At CEMI, we are looking forward to collaborating with all of the groups — in academia, government and, most importantly, in industry — that have been working for years to bring new ideas forward. Now we need to address the newer problems such as climate change, but also to brush off ideas that might have been dismissed prematurely and rejuvenate techniques that were abandoned for the wrong reasons. This is an exciting time for mining innovation; it is the time when Canadian researchers can take the lead in shaping the global mining industry of the future. CIM

Getting the most from your equipment isn’t optional. Every Bridgestone and Firestone off road tire comes standard with support from a network of dealers nationwide.

You’re backed by experienced field sales and engineering staffs, site inspections and mobile weigh trucks. And you can get TreadStat™ software to forecast maintenance needs and control costs. Bridgestone and Firestone tires ride on more than a century of research and development, and they’re backed by service to support your investment.

800-905-2367 | BFOR.COM | WECARE@BFOR.COM

Boldness changes everything Our iron ore and steel are transformed every day into symbols of boldness and human ingenuity. With 300,000 employees in 60 countries, ArcelorMittal is the world leader in steel and mining. To consult the job openings at our Quebec mining sites, visit transformerlavenir.com