CIM Magazine March-April 2015 by CIM-ICM Publications

40 YEARS OF WEAR AND STILL LOVING IT In the 1970s, producing bendable wear plates was a mission impossible in the minds of most steel producers. Some people at the Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB thought differently and decided to attack the issue head on. After a fair amount of trial and error, they succeeded in producing Hardox with a unique combination of hardness and toughness. Since its introduction in 1974, the Hardox range has constantly grown thinner, thicker, harder and tougher.

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IN THIS ISSUE 54

CIM MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL | MARS/AVRIL 2015

cover story

EXCELLENT RECOVERY Kirkland Lake Gold gets back on track – part of our Ontario Special Report By Ian Ewing

Ontario

SPECIAL REPORT

14 Design flaws

Geotechnical experts locate the underlying cause of Mount Polley tailings breach By Eavan Moore

40 Live wire act

Electricity costs can make or break the economics of a mine

Preliminary Expo! guide

By Chris Windeyer

46 Science in the art of flotation Froth cameras allow operators to precisely monitor and analyze flotation By Alex Lopez-Pacheco

MAY 10–12 MAI 2015 PALAIS DES CONGRÈS DE MONTRÉAL

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 5

contenu francophone

18 8 10

Editor’s letter President’s notes

tools of the trade 12

The best in new technology

news 17 18 20

Compiled by Katelyn Spidle

Teck and Kimberley, B.C. team up on solar plant project By Kelsey Rolfe

Roundup 2015: “Intelligent Exploration” key to finding the next generation of mines

32 34

A frigid winter paves the way for Gachuo Kué

article de fond 73

Seabridge Gold’s KSM project receives environmental approval

36 38

By Kelsey Rolfe

Vale and Mammoet’s modular approach to the Long Harbour project Tahltan leader proud to be building a new mining industry

mining lore

By Chris Balcom

Sous haute tension

Les coûts de l’électricité peuvent contribuer à l’échec ou à la réussite de l’économie d’une mine.

By Ian Ewing

By Chris Balcom

Par Chris Windeyer

67 67 68 78

Lettre de l’éditeur Mot du président Les actualités en bref Kirkland Lake Gold se remet sur pied

Stop doing, start leading

Malmenés par la chute des cours de l’or, les exploitants d’une mine du nord de l’Ontario en activité depuis plusieurs décennies mettent l’accent sur la réduction des résidus miniers et l’optimisation des teneurs pour retrouver des bases solides.

By Rosie Steeves

Par Ian Ewing

columns 29

projects & construction

News briefs

By Vivian Danielson

Social media: mining’s untapped vein By Patrick Thoburn

Global rare metal value chains in need of global links By Ian London

122

The tale of Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners By Correy Baldwin

115 Technical abstracts 83

115

Congrès de l’ICM 2015 : Guide préliminaire de l’Expo! Résumés techniques

La version française intégrale du CIM Magazine est disponible en ligne : magazine.CIM.org/fr-CA 6 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Editor-in-chief Ryan Bergen, rbergen@cim.org Executive editor Angela Hamlyn, ahamlyn@cim.org Managing editor Andrea Nichiporuk, anichiporuk@cim.org

editor’s letter

Editorial advisory board Alicia Ferdinand, Garth Kirkham, Vic Pakalnis, Steve Rusk, Nathan Stubina Translations CNW, Karen Rolland Published 8 times a year by: Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum 1250 – 3500 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West Westmount, QC H3Z 3C1 Tel.: 514.939.2710; Fax: 514.939.2714 www.cim.org; magazine@cim.org Advertising sales Dovetail Communications Inc. Tel.: 905.886.6640; Fax: 905.886.6615; www.dvtail.com Senior Account Executives 905.886.6641 Janet Jeffery, jjeffery@dvtail.com, ext. 329 Neal Young, nyoung@dvtail.com, ext. 325 Account Manager Mark Spasaro, mspasaro@dvtail.com, 905.707.3523 For Quebec: Info-Industriel Inc. Senior Account Executive Yvan Gauthier, ygauthier@cim.org, 514.576.5869

eth R. Wilson enn Aw 4K

s ard

20 1

Subscriptions Included in CIM membership ($187); Non-members (Canada): $270/yr (AB, BC, MB, NT, NU, SK add $13.50 GST; NB, NL, ON add $35.10 HST; QC add $40.40 GST + PST; PE add $37.80 HST; NS add $40.50 HST); Non-members (USA & International): US$290/yr; Single copy: $25.

Finalist Bes t in

g hin lis

IM Magazine, the flagship publication of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, and the central concern of the Communication, Publications and Media department at the national office reached an important milestone in the new year. And we missed it. A quick proof of the magazine spine by Andrea Nichiporuk, our managing editor, brought to our attention that we are now publishing the 10th volume. Unfortunately, we were too focused on getting the first issue of the new cycle to print to give proper due to the magazine’s aluminum anniversary. Andrea, coincidentally, is the only member of the publications team who was there for the launch of CIM Magazine in 2006. At the time, the magazine’s creation was a physical example, something that you could hold in your hands, which showed that the centuryold Institute was in flux. “At CIM we have inherited decades of practices and culture, some of which are now outdated,” wrote executive director Jean Vavrek in the first issue of the magazine. “Now that is going to change.”. So the publications team created CIM Magazine and shuttered CIM Bulletin. And when they took the risk of retiring a publication that had been reliably published for more than 75 years to try something different, they built the model that we have been exploring ever since. From my position – five years as a technician working on this ongoing experiment and as an observer of the industry – the pioneering spirit of Jean, then editor-in-chief Heather Ednie and her assistant editor, Andrea, should be celebrated. You may have noticed that, with our 10th volume of CIM Magazine, the evolution has continued. We have expanded the French content available in our print edition. With the “project pipeline” among the news stories, we aim to catalogue projects that are advancing and look forward to seeing that feature demand more space on the page. The most ambitious project for 2015, however, will reveal itself later this year with the re-creation of CIM Magazine online. Beyond making it a better reading experience, the project will also re-imagine what CIM Magazine can be. It will, ideally, honour the spirit that launched the publication a decade ago.

ian Business Pu nad b Ca

Better belated than never

Section editors Peter Braul, pbraul@cim.org Tom DiNardo, tdinardo@cim.org Copy editor/Communications coordinator Zoë Koulouris, zkoulouris@cim.org Web content editor Maria Olaguera, molaguera@cim.org Contributing editor Eavan Moore Editorial intern Katelyn Spidle, kspidle@cim.org Contributors Nadia Bakka, Chris Balcom, Martin Bell, Richard Butler, Lise Bujold, Chris Balcom, Correy Baldwin, Vivian Danielson, Ian Ewing, Sahar Fatima, Laura Gregorini, Carol Lee, Ian London, Alex Lopez-Pacheco, Katelyn Malo, Eavan Moore, Chantal Murphy, Kelsey Rolfe, Janet Sandor, Andrew Seale, Rosie Steeves, Patrick Thoburn, Lucie Vincent, Chris Windeyer

Ryan Bergen, Editor-in-chief editor@cim.org @Ryan_CIM_Mag

8 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

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

president’s notes

Let’s continue the discussion in Montreal At the end of January, the Independent Expert Engineering Investigation and Review Panel released its report on the Mount Polley tailings storage facility breach. In the Feb. 12, 2015 edition of the CIM Reporter, I wrote a note to the CIM membership summarizing the review of the panel’s findings and outlining the initial actions the Institute will take. CIM intends to coordinate with relevant organizations and sources of expertise within the minerals industry, with the common objective to support and promote best practices in the design, operation and monitoring of tailings dams and containment facilities. Shortly after publication, the CIM communications team advised me that the Mount Polley note in the Reporter drew a lot of attention, demonstrating that CIM members are very concerned about this issue. I encourage all CIM members to review the executive summary of the panel’s report at mountpolleyreviewpanel.ca. You will also find a story on the panel findings on page 14. The CIM Convention and Expo! in Montreal, May 10-13, 2015, is fast approaching. We understand we need to deliver solid, relevant and current content in order to continue as a premier global mining conference. The development of the technical program, which is a core component of the convention, has traditionally been under the lead of a volunteer technical program chair. This key role has become more challenging and time consuming with every passing year, and in recognition of this, CIM recently added a new staff position: the technical program coordinator. Janet Sandor will provide administrative support to the volunteer technical program chair, thereby allowing the chair to focus on what they do best: identify and bring the very best technical content to the convention. I encourage you to come to Montreal for the 2015 convention, which, among many topics, will include technical programming focused on best practices in tailings management. Register now to take advantage of the reduced rate early bird registration, and make sure you book your hotel soon to ensure you get a room. Montreal is a wonderful city, and we always have an excellent turnout! I also want to take this opportunity to bid a very fond farewell to Serge Major and to welcome Danielle Langlois and Riccardo DiPerna to the team at CIM National. Serge retired last December after 19 years of service as director of finance and administration. His vast knowledge of the Institute, his work ethic and his irreverence will be missed. Ms. Langlois joins as the director of administration and information technology, and Mr. DiPerna is CIM’s controller.

Sean Waller CIM President

10 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

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Blasting from a distance

Safe lifting Scissor lift platforms are used in many phases of an underground mining project, but operating them can be dangerous. Putzmeister kept this in mind when designing its new MINELIFT 4. With a lifting height of four metres and a lifting capacity of four tonnes, it is available as a simple working platform for lifting heavy loads and personnel, or with customized configurations to assist with a number of tasks including the installation of pipes and ventilators. Additionally, MINELIFT 4 can be outfitted with an auxiliary lift platform that increases the total work surface area by 700 millimetres to 3.4 by 2.55 metres. Where safety is concerned, the MINELIFT 4 comes with a downhill speed control function that prevents the operator from driving too quickly and misusing the brakes. There is also the option of an onboard generator and compressor, which allow operators to work autonomously while also reducing the risk of accidents from using external power and air supplies. One of the biggest risks to operators, said marketing manager Christine Krauss, is rollover of the equipment during operation. So MINELIFT 4 is equipped with a hydraulic platform tilting system and heavy-duty chassis stabilizers. “MINELIFT 4 is stable in typical inclinations found in underground mining,” said Krauss. Compiled by Katelyn Spidle 12 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Courtesy of Sandvik

Courtesy of Putzmeister

Courtesy of Dyno Nobel

For blasting products, the standards for safety and control are becoming more exacting. According to Sandy Tavelli, global product manager of electronic initiation systems at Dyno Nobel, many customers today request a product that offers remote firing. To adapt to the evolving security and safety needs of its clients, the company updated the popular DigiShot 300S system. The enhanced DigiShot 300 RF system offers two main improvements: testability, which is lacking in non-electric type systems; and infinite programming ability, which enhances control of both fragmentation and vibration. The system can fire up to 450 detonators at a distance of 1.5 kilometres, and it maintains the ability to synchronize with two blasting boxes when firing in hardwire mode.

More for your ore Mining crushers experience a lot of wear and tear on a day-to-day basis, resulting in regular maintenance and repairs. That is why Sandvik designed its CH860 and CH865 to include features that deliver the durability and reliability needed to improve overall performance. The mainshaft and shells are built with high-strength alloys and extra reinforcements that allow it to withstand more force. The electric dump valve system reduces pressure peaks and mechanical stress on the crusher by checking hydraulic pressure 200 times per second. Also, the tank system is equipped with a cooling mechanism, temperature monitors, an offline filter and a safety system. The CH860, meant for high-capacity secondary crushing, has a 500-kilowatt motor. The CH865, particularly useful in tertiary applications, creates a finer product and a smaller circulating load inside the circuit. This results in a five per cent performance increase. “[It] adds up,” said product marketing specialist Robert Picard. “That’s more for your ore. We call it outperformance; our customers call it more profit.”

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Teck and Kimberley, B.C. team up on solar plant project

Roundup 2015: “intelligent exploration” is key to finding the next generation of mines

B.C. announces Major Mines Permitting Office

MetSoc launches its new Legacy Project in February

News

Design flaws A three-person investigative panel appointed by the government of British Columbia reported in January that a design flaw was responsible for the Mount Polley tailings dam breach in August 2014. The geotechnical experts – Norbert Morgenstern, professor emeritus of civil engineering at the University of Alberta; Steven Vick, a geotechnical engineer and review consultant; and Dirk Van Zyl, a professor of mining engineering at UBC – also issued recommendations to improve future tailings storage facility (TSF) designs, all of which the province pledged to adopt. The panel was asked to identify the technical mechanism for Mount Polley’s TSF failure. The panel noted that it had also been authorized to “make recommendations to government on actions that could be taken to ensure that a similar failure does not occur at other mine sites in B.C.” and “to comment on what actions could have been taken to prevent this failure and to identify practices or successes in other jurisdictions that could be considered for implementation in B.C.”

How it failed The panel investigation pinned the failure on a layer of fine, glacially deposited silts and clays known as glaciolacustrine (GLU) soil located eight metres below the base of the perimeter embankment. It had not been detected at a critical point in the embankment, and strength data from 14 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Courtesy of Cariboo Regional District

Geotechnical experts locate the underlying cause of Mount Polley tailings breach

In January a B.C. government-appointed investigative panel cited design flaws as the cause of the dam breach at Imperial Metals’ Mount Polley tailings storage facility last August.

GLU elsewhere had been misinterpreted, according to the report. As the operation added height to its dam over the years, the layer failed and brought down a section of the embankment, releasing water and tailings. The panel concluded that the silt and clay of the GLU layer had contracted under pressure. With slow loading, the bearing capacity of soil becomes stronger as water drains out and the foundation condenses. But if it is loaded too quickly, water is not

expelled and instead creates pore pressures that weaken the soil. The original dam design incorrectly assumed that the GLU was too consolidated to contract further. While the panelists were most troubled by this mistake, they also cited water balance, water treatment, oversteepened dam slopes, deferred buttressing, core width and the selection of a minimum factor of safety (FS) of 1.3 as poor practices. (The FS was above the dam industry standard of

news 1.5 at the breach site, but not everywhere.) “Multiple failure modes were in progress, and they differed mainly in how far they had progressed down their respective failure pathways,” the panelists wrote. Steve Robertson, vice-president of corporate affairs at mine owner Imperial Metals, said his company was not responsible for the GLU flaw. “It is the role of the geotechnical engineer to come up with the strength of the materials that are in the foundation, not Imperial’s,” he said. “We relied on the design that was provided to us.” Consulting firm Knight Piésold was the engineer of record when the dam was originally designed and constructed from 1995 to 1997. It issued a statement last August, declining to comment on “the details of the incident, or on the design, construction, operations, water management practices or any other aspects of the Mount Polley tailings storage facility,” because changes made after

responsibility was transferred to AMEC in 2011 meant that the facility could “no longer be considered a Knight Piésold Ltd. design.” Asked if Imperial was considering taking legal action against the design firm, Robertson said: “We haven’t come to any conclusion on what our forward actions are going to be.”

Why it failed The panel’s evaluation of regulatory oversight found that well-qualified staff at the B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines had performed its role as expected. A 2013 geotechnical inspection found Mount Polley compliant with permit requirements and accepted engineering practices. “Additional inspections of the TSF would not have prevented the failure,” wrote panel members. The panel recommended that British Columbia and its mining industry adopt both best available practices and

best available technologies. Noting regulators’ limited ability to influence design, the panel members recommended the province adopt quantitative performance objectives that would give regulators better means to identify potential problems. Other suggested practices include independent tailings review boards (ITRBs), mandatory adherence to the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining initiative or an equivalent program, and more detailed permit applications. “The panel would require a bankable feasibility study and related permit application to have considered all technical, environmental, social and economic aspects of the project,” wrote Morgenstern, Vick and Van Zyl. Studies should not take cost as a deciding factor and should aggressively pursue alternatives to water covers, according to the panel members, who pointed out that the chemical stability

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 15

offered by water cannot be secured without physical stability. “Dam failures are reduced by reducing the number of dams that can fail,” they wrote. Based on past performance, the panel predicted there will be two conventional tailings dam failures per decade unless reforms are enacted. They suggested filtered, compacted tailings like those stored at Hecla Mining Company’s Greens Creek silver mine in Alaska as a potential way to avoid failing dams.

Provincial response Bill Bennett, B.C.’s minister of energy and mines, said the province would follow through on every one of the panel’s recommendations. He said he clarified directly with the panel that it was not recommending eschewing water storage altogether, even with new mines: “So when we say, ‘Yes, we accept the recommendation for best available technology,’ we’re not cherry picking and saying, ‘That one that they

16 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

used in the example is the only one that we’re going to allow in British Columbia.’ And it’s very, very important for me to make that point, because obviously I don’t want the industry to think that we’re going to be that prescriptive.” To Bennett, it was “shocking” that the design and construction of a tailings dam could have taken place without critical information. “I would not have believed before that the Mount Polley accident was possible in Canada,” he said. “I have a great deal of faith in the engineering industry and I have faith in the mining industry, but clearly, this accident and then this report is showing us that there’s more that we need to do to make sure that we account for mistakes like the one that was made at Mount Polley.” Immediately following the release of the panel review, the provincial government announced that the chief inspector of mines will require all operating

mines with tailings storage dams to report by June 30 whether their dams rest on GLU soil and whether the strength and location is understood. Ministry spokesperson David Haslam said ITRBs would become mandatory for operating mines and the government would “initiate a code review to determine how to best implement the panel’s recommendations regarding best available technology and practices, additional permit application requirements and safety standards that go beyond the Canadian Dam Association guidelines and are tailored to British Columbia.” No timelines were offered. The report did not address liability for the breach. Two ongoing investigations by the Conservation Officer Service and the chief inspector of mines may supply answers if they find evidence of code noncompliance. The chief inspector of mines hopes to release conclusions this summer. – Eavan Moore

news Mexican copper mine suspended temporarily Aura Minerals suspended operations at its Aranzazu copper mine in Mexico due to the current commodity price, the company announced in January. “Although this decision is a difficult and concerning one, in particular for Aranzazu’s affected employees and the local community, it will preserve our

cash position during these uncertain economic times,” said company president and CEO Jim Bannantine. The price of copper hovered at around US$2.60 per pound ($/lb) as of midFebruary, down from about US$3.20/lb at this point last year. Copper concentrate will continue to be processed until stockpiles run out, after which personnel will remain at the mine site to ensure environmental,

Betty-Ann Heggie, this year’s winner of the WIM Canada Trailblazer Award, was the first female senior vice-president of PotashCorp and spearheaded the Betty-Ann Heggie Womentorship program at the University of Saskatchewan which launched in September 2009.

safety, social and regulatory standards are maintained during the suspension. The company is currently reviewing the mine’s development plans, site costs and capital expenditures, and plans to release a new bankable NI 43-101 report during the second half of 2015. The updated report may include mine expansion plans that are smaller scale than those proposed in the 2012 preliminary economic assessment. It will also help the company secure financing to reopen and expand the Aranzazu mine. Last year Aranzazu produced 14.6 million pounds of contained copper. The mine has Measured and Indicated Resources of about 588.7 million ounces of copper, 10.3 million ounces of silver and 390,000 ounces of gold.

Courtesy of Betty-Ann Heggie

– Katelyn Spidle

WIM welcomes 2015 trailblazer Betty-Ann Heggie, the first female senior vice-president of PotashCorp, is this year’s winner of the Women in Mining (WIM) Canada Trailblazer Award. The now-retired Heggie, a member of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame, officially accepted the award in early March at the Prospectors and Developers Conference in Toronto. “I was deeply flattered,” Heggie said after WIM Canada announced the news in January. “I was very honoured that they would consider me a kind of a pseudo leader.” The Trailblazer Award was established by WIM in 2013 to recognize “women who have taken personal career risks and helped to advance the careers of other women,” according to the notfor-profit organization. WIM Canada figures indicate that women represent just 11 per cent of

board appointments in the natural resource sector and make up 14 per cent of the entire Canadian mining workforce. Heggie aims to address this disparity by promoting female support in the corporate sector. She spearheaded the Betty-Ann Heggie Womentorship program at the University of Saskatchewan, which launched in September 2009 and matches seasoned female professionals with new graduates. Things have already changed drastically for women in mining since even the mid-90s, Heggie said, recalling an instance when she was asked not to tour a mine in Germany because of an old superstition that women entering mines would lead to a deadly disaster. Today, Heggie is proud to see the many female engineers and managers who make up WIM Canada: “I just know we’re going to be better off and it warms my heart.” – Sahar Fatima

Engineering consultancy BBA received an honourable mention at the 25th Énergia Competition in February in the category of “industrial or manufacturing processes with $5 million or more in energy costs per year.” The firm was commended for its work in performance optimization at Glencore’s Raglan mine in Quebec. Organized each year by the Association Québécoise pour la maîtrise de l’énergie (AQME), the competition recognizes energy efficiency and management projects throughout the province. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Rousseau Métal. Since opening its doors in 1950, Rousseau Métal has become a nationally recognized brand that specializes in industrial storage systems. It began by serving the automotive, aerospace and military sectors and has since expanded into the health care, agricultural and mining industries. Rousseau Métal now has more than 300 employees and is based in St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec. Compiled by Katelyn Spidle

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 17

Harnessing the sun Teck and Kimberley, B.C. team up on solar plant project Courtesy of the City of Kimberley

Western Canada’s first commercial solar plant, constructed on a Teck Resources legacy site, is expected to begin operating in March. The $5.35-million SunMine project was built on Teck’s former Sullivan mine site. The lead-zinc mine, in production for 100 years, was the main economic driver of Kimberley, B.C., before being shut down in 2001. SunMine, a 1.05-megawatt (MW) plant, is expected to generate an estimated 1,900 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity each year. A portion will be used in Kimberley, and the rest will be sold to B.C. Hydro. Overall, it is expected to produce electricThe SunMine solar plant joint-project by Teck Resources and the City of Kimberley, B.C., will generate an estimated 1,900 ity for roughly 200 homes. megawatt-hours of electricity each year, part of which will be used by the city while the rest will be sold to B.C. Hydro. In 2008 a Vancouver-based non-profit that focuses on renewable energy and climate change “The former Sullivan mine site is tem is expected to increase the farm’s called The EcoSmart Foundation pretty integral to the whole city of energy yield by 30 per cent. approached the city and Teck with the Kimberley,” said Mark Edwards, Teck’s “Part of the reason for the trackers idea for the project. The organization vice-president of community and gov- is that we’re in a heavy snow environpointed out that Kimberley is located ernment relations. “It and the city ment,” said Wilson. “That was the big, in the sunniest area of B.C., and has a grew up together, essentially. We still special consideration we had to take large amount of reclaimed industrial have a presence in Kimberley, we’re into account. We wanted to be able to land – namely the Sullivan site. It sug- still contributing to a lot of the com- manage the snow without having to gested there was an opportunity for an munity activities, and this was just a manually clean the panels.” energy project. “EcoSmart was the ini- great way for us to continue our conThe plant is made up of more than tiator, the visionary, of the project,” tributions.” 4,000 solar panels, arranged on 96 said Kevin Wilson, Kimberley’s ecoKimberley also received $1 million solar tracking structures. The trackers nomic development officer. from the province through B.C.’s are 38 by 20 feet, with 42 panels on The city voted in a 2011 referen- Innovative Clean Energy Fund and each one. dum to borrow $2 million from the another $300,000 from Columbia Wilson said the legacy site needed Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Basin Trust. very little additional work to prepare Green Municipal Fund for the project. SunMine lays claim to many firsts: it for SunMine: only upgrading the Around the same time, Teck it is Canada’s first solar plant set up on road to the site, and excavating the announced it would contribute the a former mine site, the first large plant foundations for the tracker masts. same amount towards the solar plant. to connect with the B.C. Hydro grid, “Teck’s done an enormous amount of Along with the funding, the company and the first utility-scale project in work on reclaiming the site and it’s gave the city a 30-year lease on the Canada to use solar trackers. actually quite an interesting case Sullivan site, free of charge, and conThe solar trackers have light sen- study in reclamation best practices. tributed additional support staff to sors to track the angle of the sun, and They created a unique strain of help draft legal agreements and advise load sensors to allow them to turn hydroseeding that’s able to set root on construction and communication themselves to minimize wind expo- in the soil conditions that we have, decisions. sure or to dump snow. The sensor sys- and there’s vegetation all over this 18 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

news former mine site that used to be basically a big industrial site with no vegetation at all.” The land did, however, present a challenge for the solar project. When Teck was reclaiming the Sullivan site, it capped the mine with several metres of glacial till and float rock before it began reseeding it. “You can imagine, you can’t pound a post into that,” Wilson said. Because the site was in a remote location – four kilometres from the nearest highway on a forestry-quality road – bringing in concrete trucks to pour foundations was not the ideal solution. Instead, tripod-shaped steel roots attached to the tracker mast (the vertical piece of metal and concrete that holds up the tracker) were buried beneath the ground and backfilled as a workaround foundation. Edwards said Teck plans to use what it learned about solar power

technology during the construction of SunMine and apply that to its operating mines. “This is our first significant venture into solar and we’ve learned a lot about the technology that we hope to utilize and apply in other places around the world,” he said. “We operate in northern Chile, and it’s a very dry part of the world with a lot of sunshine, so there’s pretty significant potential there.”

SunMine could also point to a new way for Teck to reclaim mine sites when there are no longer resources to extract. “Every site’s going to be unique,” said Edwards. “Some may have energy potential, be it solar or wind, and some may have other significant value, and it’s all going to be on a case-by-case basis. We’ll definitely apply that thought process and adapt – Kelsey Rolfe it to each site.”

erratum We reported in our February 2015 issue that last year the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) had financed the Centre for Minerals Innovation (CMI) along with nine other programs designed to support mining education, training and research in Saskatchewan. In reality, IMII funded eight programs in 2014 besides the CMI, for a total of nine projects. We regret the error.

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March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 19

“Intelligent exploration” at Roundup 2015 The key to finding the next generation of mines Mark Kinskofer/Vision Event Photography

Mining industry leaders ground and perform more have historically used the inspections,” she said. podium at the Mineral Along with Red Chris, which Exploration Roundup Conis now in the final commissionference to encourage compaing stage, the list of potential nies to find smarter ways to new B.C. mines includes explore. This year, in that Seabridge Gold’s KSM gold-copspirit, Goldcorp CEO Chuck per project, Pretivm Resources’ Jeannes and Franco-Nevada Brucejack gold project and New CEO David Harquail urged Gold’s Blackwater gold project. enterprises to focus more on Several B.C. past-producers are the quality rather than quanalso poised for a revival, notably tity of resources in the Chieftain Metals with its polyground, and to cut discovery metallic Tulsequah Chief mine costs through innovation and and Sona Resources’ Blackdome better allocation of scarce gold mine. capital. Roundup 2015 also gave “If you make a big produccompanies the opportunity to tivity breakthrough and dishighlight “intelligent explocover a mining camp, there ration” – the theme of this year’s will be unlimited capital for conference in Vancouver – at that innovation,” Harquail early-stage projects with potensaid. “But if we just keep tial to become new mines. One doing the same old thing, the example of the strategy to focus market won’t finance it anyon high-margin resources is Lac more because they’ve seen Minerals’ Red Mountain gold the financial outcome.” project, which has seen $40 milHis message is particularly Goldcorp CEO Chuck Jeannes (above) said at the AME BC Roundup 2015 lion of exploration since its disConference in Vancouver, B.C. in January that he believes the gold sector will relevant in British Columbia, bounce back soon, based on supply-demand fundamentals. covery in 1989. which, according to conferIDM Mining, headed by ence organizer AME BC, is Robert McLeod, optioned the home to 58 per cent of Canada’s 1,500 B.C. Premier Christy Clark offered northwestern B.C. project in April publicly traded mineral exploration encouragement to the beleaguered 2014. The junior miner has since and mining companies. It is timely industry by noting that the province is outlined a Measured and Indicated too, as spending on exploration in more than halfway to its 2012 goal of Resource of 1.45 million tonnes B.C. totalled $338 million in 2014, opening 15 new and expanded mines averaging 8.15 grams per tonne (g/t) down from a 20-year peak of $680 by 2015. She cited construction of of gold and 29.57 g/t silver, plus million in 2012. These grim numbers Imperial Metals’ Red Chris copperadditional Inferred Resources. mirror the almost 50 per cent drop in gold mine as a major event of 2014, McLeod said retreating glaciers have global exploration spending over the along with the completion of the exposed new showings to be further same period. Northwest Transmission Line, which explored this year. Mine permitting Still, it was not all doom and gloom will provide low-cost power to Red is under way. at the conference. Jeannes lifted dele- Chris and other mine projects in “We’re excited about the prospect gates’ spirits when he predicted that northwestern B.C. of developing a high-grade, low-capex the gold sector is “on its way back to Clark also announced a $10-mil- and low-cost underground mine near relevance” for investors based on lion investment to improve the coor- my hometown of Stewart,” McLeod supply-demand fundamentals and the dination of major mine permits (more said. average 20-year mine-permitting win- on pg. 22) and help restore confiIn neighbouring Yukon, Kaminak dow. He said he believes this will dence in the wake of the recent Mount Gold is advancing its wholly owned allow companies to move forward and Polley mine tailings spill near Coffee gold project as a proposed see market multiples bounce back Williams Lake. “We’re increasing open-pit heap-leach mine. “This is a from a 30-year low. resources to have more boots on the new deposit style for Yukon,” said 20 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

news Kaminak president Eira Thomas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We see it as a brand new gold district.â&#x20AC;? Thomas stressed the projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s robust economics, based on a preliminary economic assessment that projected all-in sustaining costs of US$688 per ounce, capital costs of $305 million, and production of 167,000 ounces of gold per year over an 11-year mine life. Exploration spending at $80 million in 2014 is still at robust levels in Yukon, although down 13 per cent from 2013. Alaska saw a big slump last year to $92 million from $180 million a year earlier. The big surprise was the Northwest Territories, which saw a 32 per cent increase in spending on exploration and deposit appraisal last year to $103 million. The uptick was largely attributed to a resurgence of diamond exploration near three producing diamond mines and proposed expansions at Ekati and Diavik. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Vivian Danielson C

GIVING BACK Brazilian mining giant Vale partnered with the United Steelworkers to raise more than $865,000 for the United Way Centraide Sudbury and Nipissing districts, the charity announced in January. Vale matched employee contributions, which increased by 20 per cent over last year. The joint fundraising campaign is the largest financial contributor to the local districtsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; community campaign. Employees of mine contractor Dumas in Kirkland Lake and Timmins raised more than $11,000 for local charities, the company announced in December. The donations went to a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shelter and food bank, as well as the North Eastern Ontario Family and Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Services (NEOFACS), the Good Samaritan and The Yo Mobile. Employees from Goldcorpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Musselwhite mine in northwestern Ontario distributed 9,000 pounds worth of turkeys and 1,000 stockings to First Nations communities in December. The gesture was meant to show appreciation to the communities of Cat Lake, North Caribou, Wunnumin, Kingfisher and Mishkeegogamang for their long-standing partnerships with the company. Compiled by Katelyn Spidle 8:54 AM Page 1

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March/April â&#x20AC;˘ Mars/Avril 2015 | 21

Speedier mine approvals may be on the horizon in British Columbia following Premier Christy Clark’s promise of additional funding in this year’s budget for a new office dedicated to issuing mining permits. The announcement was made at the AME BC’s Roundup conference in January. Ministry of Energy and Mines spokesperson Jake Jacobs said specific funding for the Major Mines Permitting Office (MMPO) has not yet been allocated, but the ministry will see its base funding rise by $6 million to $17.1 million. New permit fees for mines are expected to bring in another $3 million. Exploration companies will not be charged. “Up to 10 new mines are expected to proceed in the next few years, and this new funding will make sure we are ready to support these projects and ensure the safety of this important industry as it continues to grow,” said Clark in a press release. The MMPO is expected to launch this spring once the B.C. legislature approves the budget, which was unveiled in February. The office will aim to improve coordination across ministries so decisions on mine authorizations are made more efficiently, Jacobs said. Technical

22 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Courtesy of the Province of B.C.

B.C. announces major mines permitting office

Christy Clark announced funding for a new Major Mines Permitting Office to coordinate decisions across ministries for improving the efficiency of mine authorization.

experts in relevant ministries will still review the applications for new mining projects, but the extra funding will allow the Ministry of Energy and Mines to hire additional technical experts to review applications, cutting down wait times. The Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines will remain responsible for inspections. “The Project Board for the MMPO will guide resourcing, prioritization and issues management in a way that best addresses the specific needs of the mining sector,” Jacobs said. “The

MMPO will include project managers and directors who have detailed knowledge of the mining sector.” The new office will focus on “major mines,” which the ministry defines as projects that trigger the environmental assessment (EA) process. Any proposal that requires the creation of a Mine Review Committee (MRC) – an advisory committee comprising all three levels of government and First Nations – is also considered a major mine, Jacobs said. New permit fees will range from $4,000 to $32,000 for placer mines, gravel pits and quarries. Mineral and coal mine operations will be charged anywhere from $10,000 for a simple permit application to $125,000 for a complex application requiring an MRC. Karina Briño, president and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia, welcomed the announcement. She said navigating the government system can be challenging for mining companies seeking new permits, as they must often obtain approval from several different ministries. “There are four or five agencies that could be involved in parts of the decision-making,” Briño said. “Housing everyone together should lead to clarity around how to navigate that – S.F. process.”

news N.W.T. govt. establishes mining board The Northwest Territories mining sector will earn some official devotees this spring. At the AME BC’s Roundup conference in January, Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay announced the establishment of a Mining Industry Advisory Board to draw explorers, investors and mining companies to the region. The panel will consist of five to seven members, Ramsay said. Although he stayed mum about who will sit at the table, he said it

would represent “a cross-section of interests,” from mining CEOs to local stakeholders and First Nations. “I know what I’m looking for,” he said. “I certainly have a few people in mind right now that I’ll be approaching in the short term.” In 2014 the territory saw a 32 per cent spike in spending on exploration and deposit appraisals to $103 million. Diamond exploration and development accounted for nearly two thirds of that, according to Natural Resources Canada. The panel will be tasked with keeping up that momentum. “We [need] a positive climate for investment with a reputation as being a

mining jurisdiction people can trust,” he said, adding that this includes taking a “balanced approach to sustainable responsible development.” The goal of the panel, Ramsay said, is to create legislation to continue building on the objectives of the N.W.T.’s 2013 mineral development strategy. “We’re encouraged by what we’ve seen and where things stand today,” he said, “but we definitely need to make sure we’re putting out the right kinds of messages as a jurisdiction.” The advisory panel will hold its first meeting in May. – Andrew Seale

Keith Houghton Photography

Full house at Mining Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Ian Telfer, Peter Bradshaw, Ron Netolitzky and Mackenzie Watson (left to right) were inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in January.

Four mining legends were welcomed into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame (CMHF) at the 27th annual induction ceremony and dinner at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel in January.

More than 800 people attended the event, which has been selling out for years, according to CIM executive director Jean Vavrek. “It’s the major mining event that kicks off every year,” he said.

Pierre Lassonde, chairman of Franco-Nevada and a CMHF inductee himself, acted as master of ceremonies for the evening, a role he has played on 14 occasions. The accomplishments of Peter M.D. Bradshaw, Ronald K. Netolitzky, Mackenzie Iles Watson and Ian Telfer were highlighted in individual videos that included colleagues’ testimonials. Each inductee gave a four-minute speech upon accepting his award. “I sure wish that my old headmaster was here tonight,” said Bradshaw. “This isn’t where he thought I’d end up!” Vavrek explained that the ceremony is held at the Royal York for a reason: The Canadian Pacific Railway, a company that in many ways enabled the development of the mining industry, built the historic hotel. The 2015 induction ceremony was supported by Goldcorp as diamond sponsor and by Barrick, Franco-Nevada, IBK Capital Corp., SNC-Lavalin and Yamana Gold as platinum sponsors. – K.S.

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 23

Goldcorp acquires Probe Mines

Courtesy of Veolia

Vancouver-based mining giant Goldcorp just got a bit bigger. The company closed a definitive agreement on Jan. 27 to acquire Toronto-based junior mining company Probe Mines. With the friendly takeover, Goldcorp now has claim to the Borden Gold project in northern Ontario. Late last spring, Probe released an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the project that included an underground Indicated Resource of 1.60 million ounces of gold averaging 5.39 grams per tonne of gold and an Inferred Resource of 0.43 million ounces averaging 4.43 grams per tonne at a 2.5grams-per-tonne cutoff grade. The Borden find made in 2010 and subsequent work on the project earned Probe president and CEO David Palmer the 2015 Bill Dennis Award for a Canadian mineral discovery or prospecting success from PDAC.

Palmer is confident Goldcorp’s financial and technical expertise will help advance the Borden project, according to a press release on Jan. 19. “This acquisition represents not only a validation of the project and its value, but also an opportunity for shareholders to participate in future success with one of the industry’s most respected gold producers, Goldcorp, as well as an experienced and committed team of explorers in New Probe,” said Palmer. “We are grateful for all of the support and loyalty from our shareholders and look forward to commencing the next phase together.” Shareholders of Probe will receive an interest in a new exploration company called New Probe. This company, to be formed in partnership with Goldcorp, will keep Probe’s current CEO, board of directors and management team. Probe shareholders are expected to meet to approve the transaction before the end of the first quar– K.S. ter in 2015.

The facts at hand The mining industry has received its annual report card. In February, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) released its report Facts & Figures of the Canadian Mining Industry 2014, based on 2013 data provided by the federal government. For the last decade, Canada was the top destination for exploration. However, investment in this category fell by 41 per cent to $2.3 billion in 2013, causing Canada to slip to second place after Australia. The report found that the recent decline in global commodity prices, lack of infrastructure in the North, and a complicated regulatory process are to blame for last year’s decline. Fortunately, MAC’s findings also demonstrate that the industry is key to the Canadian economy in terms of contributions to national GDP and employment opportunities. “To adjust to lower prices for some commodities, and to cope with high operating costs and a still uncertain global economy, it is more critical than ever that government remain focused on expanding Canada’s trade network and enhancing Canada’s overall competitiveness as a destination for new mining development through strategic investments and effective policies,” said MAC president and CEO Pierre Gratton.

$54 billion

Contribution of the mining industry to Canada’s GDP

380,000

Number of Canadians working in the mining industry

68,000 3,400 41 %

Big move 2nd In one of the largest shipments ever made within the province of Saskatchewan, including equipment spanning 10 metres in diameter and weighing 180 tonnes, Veolia Water Technologies announced in February it had delivered its HPD Crystallization Technology (above) to K+S Potash Canada’s Legacy project where it will purify and produce more than two million tonnes of potassium chloride per year from solution-mined potash. 24 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

19.6 %

Mining jobs in Ontario alone Canadian companies that supply goods and services to the mining industry Amount exploration investment in Canada fell by Exploration spending worldwide Percentage of total Canadian exports from the mining industry* *All figures from 2013 – K.S.

Building a legacy CIM’s Metallurgy and Materials Society (MetSoc) and the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation launched in February a new plan to document the importance of metallurgy for the development of Canada. The two organizations are raising $120,000 to support the History of Metallurgy and Mining Legacy Project, which involves the creation of an oral history video bank that includes interviews with leaders in the exploration, mining, and metallurgy and materials fields. The funds will also go towards researching how metallurgy contributed to Canada’s progress, and guide the Canada Science and Technology Museum in building a collection of meaningful metallurgical artefacts. Eventually, the interviews will be archived at the museum in Ottawa and be available on its website. “Metallurgy and mining are cornerstones on which Canadian industry and society were established,” said Sam Marcuson, the

Courtesy of the Canadian Mineral Processors/Al Kuiper

news

CIM executive director Jean Vavrek (middle) signed a memorandum of understanding with Kevin Fraser (left), director of autoclave technology at Hatch, and Fern Proulx (right), COO of the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation, initiating the History of Metallurgy and Mining Legacy Project at the Canadian Mineral Processors conference in Ottawa in January.

historical metallurgy chair for MetSoc. The project, he added, “will benefit both the visitors to the museum, about 300,000 annually, and users of the website – about 3.5 million hits annually.” Hatch, CIM, MetSoc and the Canadian

Mineral Processors have contributed $100,000 of the total budget, along with private donations of $12,000. The project’s proponents are hoping to raise the final $8,000 in order to get it underway. – Peter Braul

Project Pipeline Endeavour Mining received the final mining permit for Region on Jan. 27. The project, which contains its Houndé gold project in Burkina Faso on Feb. 6. The 2.8 million ounces of Proven and Probable Reserves, project has a 10-year mine life, with Proven and will consist of an underground mine and five open pits. Probable Reserves of 2.1 million ounces. Dominion Diamond Corp. released on Jan. 27 the results The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and of a prefeasibility study for the Jay kimberlite pipe of the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories. approved on Jan. 30 New Gold’s Rainy River gold-silver The company expects to mine 45.6 million tonnes of project in Ontario. The deposit contains 13.2 million ore from the deposit over its 11-year mine life. The ounces of Proven and Probable Reserves, and the mill project has an estimated post-tax net present value of is expected to process 21,000 tonnes of ore per day US$610 million. from the open pit over a 16-year mine life. Minera Boleo and Korea Resources’ Boleo plant Orezone Gold signed on Jan. 27 a royalty agreement achieved first copper production on Jan. 17 after with Sandstorm Gold worth up to US$8 million. The suffering various setbacks since receiving financing in funding will be used to complete the feasibility study for 2010. The mine, located on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, is the company’s Oreille gold project in Burkina Faso. expected to produce 51,000 tonnes of copper, 1,700 tonnes of metallic cobalt and 25,000 tonnes of zinc The federal government, following the Nunavut Impact sulphate each year. Review Board’s recommendations, approved Agnico Eagle’s Meliadine gold mine near the territory’s Kivalliq Compiled by Katelyn Spidle March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 25

Mixing work with pleasure at CMP 2015 Courtesy of the Canadian Mineral Processors/Al Kuiper

did a commendable job of hiding their beverages, can be found by searching for #cmp2015 on Instagram. The intensive three-day technical program was also complemented by the annual West vs. East hockey game, an early morning -20 C skate on the Rideau Canal (attended by just one brave soul) and other great chances to expend energy. For a copy of the proceedings, contact Janice Zinck at janice.zinck@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca. – P.B.

• AWARDS • Attendees of the Canadian Mineral Processors conference chat between sessions.

Ottawa’s Westin hotel was packed with activity in January for the annual Canadian Mineral Processors conference. More than 520 delegates from 13 countries brought together many of the biggest brains in the processing sector of the mining industry, but the three-day event was also a great chance to socialize. Students made up a critical part of the mix, gaining valuable industry contacts and soaking up knowledge. “I wasn’t sure that I was interested in mineral

processing, but this really made me realize that this is what I want from my degree,” said Sharayah Read, who studies chemical engineering technology at Cambrian College in Sudbury. Whether by students or otherwise, knowledge was not the only thing being soaked up. Mineral processors are adept at balancing work with pleasure and documented that fact with the conference’s first selfie competition, launched during the awards gala. The results, in which delegates

Movin’ on up

Compiled by Katelyn Spidle

Bruce McLeod was appointed president and CEO of Sabina Gold & Silver on Feb. 15 following the retirement of former president and CEO Rob Pease. McLeod has more than 30 years’ experience as a mining engineer. He is the former CEO of Creston Moly Corp. and founder of Sherwood Copper and Stornoway Diamonds. North American Nickel appointed Sharon Taylor chief geophysicist and Patricia Tirschmann vice-president of exploration, the company announced Feb. 5. Taylor, a veteran of Falconbridge, Noranda and Xstrata, has 25 years of experience specializing in applying and interpreting electron microscopy (EM) data and integrating airborne, ground and downhole EM results. Tirschmann also has 25 years experience in the area of magmatic nickel-copper sulphide 26 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Mineral Processor of the Year: Robert Rotzinger Lifetime Achievement Award: René Del Villar Ray MacDonald Volunteer Award: Raymond MacDonald Past Chair: Pierre Julien Best Presentation: Rodrigo Araya Student Technical Report Competition Award: Kristie Peloquin, Graham Cross André Laplante Memorial Scholarship: Michele Tuchscherer Byron Knelson Memorial Scholarship: William Yin CIM Fellowship: Donald Leroux, Ian Orford

deposit exploration. Before joining the company as principal nickel geologist in 2014, Tirschmann served Continental Nickel for six years as vice-president of exploration. Jacynthe Côté joined Suncor’s board of directors on Feb. 3. Côté has a long history in the aluminum sector. She joined Alcan in 1988 and rose to the position of CEO, a role she held at Rio Tinto Alcan between 2009 and 2014. Andrew Cheatle became PDAC’s new executive director on Feb. 2. During his 25-year career in exploration, Cheatle served as president, CEO and director at Unigold, vicepresident of exploration at Treasury Metals, general manager and director at Landore Resources, principal geologist at AMEC, chief geologist at Goldcorp-Placer Dome, and mineral resource manager at Anglo American.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media: mining’s untapped vein BY PATRICK THOBURN

bout 44 per cent of technical professionals spend more than one hour per week on social media for work-related activities, according to a recent IHS GlobalSpec study entitled “2014 Social Media Use in the Industrial Sector.” Some resource industry players like General Electric (GE) have highly developed social media programs, effectively reaching and engaging employees, investors and influencers. However, others do not take advantage of these online platforms. Using the social media analytics tool “evalue,” we at Matchstick, a social media marketing agency, analyzed the activity of seven mining companies: AngloAmerican, Barrick Gold, Cameco, First Quantum Minerals, Rio Tinto Alcan, Teck Resources and Vale. Our conclusion: The potential for social media as a communications tool for mining companies to reach their constituents is largely untapped. Among the companies in our analysis, there is a wide range of social media activity and results. At the top end, Barrick Gold employs many best practices for reaching and engaging with social media audiences. At the low end, First Quantum has no Twitter account and, notwithstanding a large following on LinkedIn, is not using the platform to its advantage. The rest fall in between. Some suffer from infrequent posting, low use of images or poor content. Social media platforms have proliferated over the past seven years; each one offers companies different ways of engaging with their customers. However, mining companies seeking to reach employees, influencers (social media users with a significant following who tend to be an expert in a certain domain) and investors should focus their efforts on Twitter and LinkedIn. Twitter, ideal for carrying on one-on-one conversations with influencers and investors, has 5.6 million Canadian monthly users, or 20.8 per cent market penetration. Most of the mining companies we analyzed have some presence on Twitter. Typically, their posts cover company announcements, such as quarterly reports, awards, jobs and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. Cameco divides its Twitter presence among three separate accounts: jobs, news and community announcements. The Cameco community account (@camecocommunity) is solely devoted to promoting the company’s CSR and community initiatives. In one case, @camecocommunity used the hashtag #C95camecocares for a fundraising event in conjunction with a local radio station, sparking conversation with hundreds of social media users. Barrick, meanwhile, has combined its CSR and corporate news posts into one Twitter account. Its posts make excellent use of images that feature company employees or executives and stories from the communities in which it operates.

28 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

LinkedIn, the premier business-to-business (B2B) social media platform, has 10 million members in Canada and continues to grow. Its ability to target audiences by geography, industry, title and more make it an unparalleled platform for B2B marketers to reach employees, policy-makers and other key audiences. Few of the companies we analyzed are active on LinkedIn despite the potential for targeted reach, particularly that of employees. Internal communication is key for most companies, and unlike any other social media platform, employees are automatically followers of their employer’s LinkedIn page. Barrick is one of the few mining companies that are both active and effective on LinkedIn. It has 150,000+ followers, and the content posted generally receives high engagement, demonstrated by frequent “likes” and comments on its posts. One of the challenges for brands in social media is producing and curating content. A brand may wish to communicate the same message on social media as it does through other channels like its website, email, or print and broadcast ads, but the medium is starkly different. With its constant flow of content, no single post or image defines an identity or a platform. On average a tweet “lives” – that is, may be surfaced in a user’s feed – for a window of just 18 minutes. An active company’s page therefore requires a steady, bite-sized flow of content. With eyecatching visuals like high-quality photos, posts perform better by reaching more people and eliciting deeper engagement. For most brands, reach, and not content creation, is the main objective in social media. Today, organic reach, or the number of unique viewers who see company content in their news feed, is low and declining. According to Facebook, just 16 per cent of fans are reached organically by brand content on their social media site. The solution to this is paid media. LinkedIn and Twitter both offer advertising products such as native advertising, sponsored updates and promoted tweets that match the targeting, reach and efficiency of any digital media. Earned media efforts can also increase reach and engagement. There are online influencers in environmental issues, energy, mining, sustainability and more. By engaging in conversation with influencers and inspiring them to share content, particularly on Twitter, companies can attract new followers and increase their organic reach. Mining companies must learn to manage their social media presence and connect with all of their target audiences in order to strengthen their brand and overall business. CIM Patrick Thoburn is a co-founder of Matchstick Inc., an independent social media marketing agency, whose clients include GE. A lawyer by training, he was named one of Canada’s most influential marketers on Marketing Magazine’s Power 100 List.

LEADERSHIP

columns

Stop doing, start leading BY ROSIE STEEVES

here comes a time in many peoples’ careers when their job is no longer to do the work themselves but instead to direct others. This transition from doer to leader is a challenging and critical evolution. This is particularly true for technically oriented experts who are promoted to leadership positions because of their professional knowledge. Few make this transition seamlessly, and some never fully step into it. They continue to hold onto the work, despite having a fundamentally different role. The consequences can be serious: those in charge are swamped with work, and those who report to them are left feeling as though they are not trusted. The results are an overworked and overstressed management, which hinders their professional development, and an epidemic of disengagement. But what is at the core of this poor leadership behaviour, particularly in mining? People often act in ways that reflect their sense of identity. Those in technical professions sometimes define themselves by their occupations; their sense of self is closely tied to being an engineer or a geologist, for example. They see themselves as experts, something that has served them well for much of their careers. However, as they transition into leadership positions, this sense of identity can become a liability rather than a strength. When they try to let go and empower others, they worry that things may not be done perfectly. Their whole sense of self could be threatened if this were to happen. Unwilling to risk this, they keep a tight control over tasks, regardless of the cost to themselves or others. If managers develop their identities to be able to see themselves achieving goals through the actions of others, they make the transition from doer to leader. Their new identity becomes closely tied to the collective, rather than the individual achievement. While this developmental stage has its own set of unique challenges, it does nevertheless permit a manager to lead and avoid micromanaging others. It is imperative that we help leaders in this industry grow beyond seeing themselves as technical experts. Only then will they be able to lead in a way that is empowering, physically and emotionally sustainable, and effective. To do this, we have to stop investing in training programs that fail to delve below the surface of an individual’s behaviour and that disregard the manner in which they make sense of their world. Training, or the development of a specific skill set, is fundamentally different from permanent personal development, which helps leaders grow as individuals and professionals. It is unrealistic and unproductive to expect the outcomes of personal development while merely providing leadership training. We also cannot assume that the problem stems from a lack of knowledge. While the distribution of relevant articles – from the latest blog or Harvard Business Review – is done with the

best intentions, simply sharing information will not result in long-lasting changes. Instead, individuals need to go on a developmental journey and learn to integrate deep self-reflection, peer support and developmental challenges into their daily practice of leadership. The most effective programs help a person evolve their identity. But sustainable rewards from these programs only come after at least a year of commitment, challenges and a willingness to change. In the shorter term, there are a number of strategies everyone can employ to avoid the “expert trap.” Try reflecting on your leadership style at the end of each day. Ask yourself: “How did others experience me as a leader today?” Next, reflect on what you get paid to do. Do your behaviours reflect that? You could also initiate conversations with your team to determine what they could take off your plate. If they do not have the necessary skills, develop a plan to transition them into more appropriate responsibilities. Remember that it is not all or nothing. Consider using the metaphor of a ship when delegating decisions. Decide whether the decision is an “above waterline” or “below waterline” decision. Above-waterline decisions are those that will blow a hole in the side of the ship if things go wrong, but will not metaphorically “sink the ship.” For example, the decision to change the maintenance schedule of some critical piece of equipment might result in a loss of production. While this is a setback, it is not catastrophic. Anyone can and should make above waterline decisions. Below waterline decisions, meanwhile, are those things that could cause the ship to go down if the wrong decision is made. Examples include losing a major client, having a significant safety incident or sending the company out of business. Such decisions demand more oversight and involvement from everyone. Hold onto these as a leader, but make sure your waterline is not too high. On a personal level you must be willing to accept and embrace the learning curve that comes with failed above-waterline decisions. Our industry is one that prides itself on technical innovation and excellence. Yet there is much work to do before such pride exists in the field of leadership. It is imperative that we stop assuming that technical expertise can simply translate into expertise in leading. Until those in charge commit to real leadership development for technical experts and view such development as a critical strategic initiative, our industry will continue to be defined by those who do, rather than lead. CIM Rosie Steeves is the founder and president of Executive Works, a company dedicated to helping leaders transform their organizations through effective leadership. She has more than 35 years of experience in the leadership development field and a PhD focused on leadership. Previously she was the cofounder and principal of The Refinery Leadership Partners, Inc., a Vancouverbased leadership development company. She is the author of the book, Breaking the Leadership Mold: An Executive’s Guide to Achieving Organizational Excellence. Rosie is currently spearheading the CIM leadership development program, Leading in Mining.

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 29

RARE EARTH ELEMENTS

Global rare metal value chains in need of global links BY IAN LONDON

he European rare earth element (REE) supply chain is currently incomplete and seeking solutions. There are no producing REE mines in Europe today, and China controls a majority of the REE market. However, there is hope. An economic development model similar to the one China has achieved in recent years is replicable and should be considered in Europe, along with its trade partners and allies in Canada. In China, every stage of the value chain has been built upon its raw natural resources, acquired or self-developed process technologies and the availability of local expertise coordinated through contracts, cross investment and national strategy. Some countries (like Canada) possess solid resources and strong mining and mineral processing skills, while others could provide expertise and infrastructure in downstream chemical and metal processing. Others still could supply end-use applications further down the chain. However, these prospective partnering countries must be aware that the window of opportunity to plan, enable and execute is narrowing. The European Rare Earth Competency Network (ERECON) presented policy recommendations to the European Commission at a workshop attended by more than 150 international experts in Milan last October. These recommendations, as outlined in the report, are comprised in a multipronged approach to improve the security of Europe’s supply of REEs: funding research on mining, separation, recycling and substitution; maintaining and strengthening the European skill and knowledge base through research funding, science and technology education, and international co-operation; funding research technologies for heavy REE pilot plants for EU projects and recycling projects; establishing a critical material fund to invest in upstream projects; and creating a European Resource Alliance. The ERECON report noted that complacency is not an option. Although current prices are low, this does not reflect the insecurity of long-term REE supply in volatile markets, which remain dependent on a small number of sources of supply vulnerable to government intervention. This view echoed the thoughts of Canadian, American, Australian, Japanese, and other international specialists attending the workshop. Europe currently has no REE mines in operation, but it did produce REEs in the past as a byproduct of other mining operations. The geological and economic potential to mine REEs in Europe was not comprehensively assessed before the global REE price spike in 2011. The EU-funded EURARE, an organization charged with developing the European REE industry, expects to complete an in-depth assessment of exploitable resources with a report due by December 2016.

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REE separation capacities exist in both France and Estonia, with rare earth concentrate feed for these facilities coming from elsewhere. Europe also has metal processing and application capabilities with companies like the U.K.’s Less Common Metals, France’s Solvay/Rhodia and Austria’s Treibacher. So how and where can Canada contribute to fleshing out a new and complete globally competitive REE supply from a European perspective? At the moment, there are a couple of advancing rare earth projects in Europe, including Tasman Metals’ Norra Kärr project that is currently in the prefeasibility stage. However, REE projects take from 10 to 20 years to reach production and face a number of challenges such as project economics – especially if a feasibility study has yet to begin – as well as environmental matters, radioactivity management and permitting. Obtaining a social licence to operate is another fundamentally important dimension of any project, and the EU has very high standards in this area. Therefore, it could be a number of years before Europe can start supplying its own REEs. Canada, which possesses more advanced projects, rich REE deposits, extensive mining and mineral processing expertise, high environmental standards, and a positive reputation and track record of collaboration, can supply the downstream chemical and metal producers. Canada can be the critical first step in the international partnering strategy, with other countries and companies contributing according to their comparative advantages along the full REE supply chain. This would enable an alternative and more secure REE production to manifest in a much more cost- and time-effective manner. This of course does not mean that any one country or company would be limited in their respective stages of REE production, but rather they would take the lead in such, and assume a different level of participation and cross-investment in each stage. The REE supply chain is inter-dependent. The outputs of one stage are the inputs to the next, and this is how we create reliable and cost-efficient solutions. To be successful, both technical and business output-input specifications and interfaces will need to be co-ordinated and maybe even tweaked for the overall effectiveness of the full chain. We, as partners, allies and global industry players, speak of international trade and co-operation; we should put them to work. CIM Ian London is the chairman of the Canadian Rare Earth Elements Network and was instrumental in its formation in mid-2013. He is also a market development and energy advisor with Avalon Rare Metals Inc. Over his 40-year career, he has served as president and CEO of Ontario Hydro International, CEO of Process Products Ltd., and on the boards of several technology and alternative energy companies.

A frigid winter paves the way for Gahcho Kué

Courtesy of Mountain Province Diamonds

Ice, ice baby By Ian Ewing

Cold temperatures are a boon for northern construction projects like Gahcho Kué that rely on ice roads as transportation corridors.

hen asked about the challenges of building a diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, Mountain Province Diamonds CEO Patrick Evans says drily, “It’s bloody cold.” But a seasonably cold winter augurs sunny days ahead for both his company and De Beers. The two companies entered into a joint venture in 2002 and are on track to commission their Gahcho Kué diamond mine in 2016, thanks to the Tibbit to Contwoyto winter road opening on schedule this year. More than half-way through a two-year construction phase, about 2,100 truckloads of equipment and materials were delivered to the mine site during February and March via the annual ice road in the highest-volume trucking season the mine will ever experience. Shipments in recent months, says Evans, included “the diamond plant, the mining fleet, fuel, explosives and a great deal more.” Having everything on site by the end of March, he adds, should enable the completion of construction by the end of the year and the start of plant commissioning at the beginning of 2016.

At the intersection of money and good weather Accessibility is the biggest challenge when building a mine in the Canadian North. Because the site is 280 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, the 22 million litres of diesel fuel that Gahcho Kué will require over the next 14 months had to be trucked in during the eight-week ice road season. Neither the 32 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

fleet of 240-ton Komatsu haul trucks and dozers nor the four Finning generators can be flown into the mine’s 4,500-foot airstrip, either. Gahcho Kué will account for more than a quarter of the estimated 10,500 truckloads travelling over the ice road this year, delivering supplies to mines in the N.W.T. and western Nunavut. Around 280 contractors – a number that will rise to 700 during peak construction activity later this year – have carried on construction of the mine despite an unexpected complication. Deutsche Bank, the head of a lending group that was to participate in a debt facility for the joint venture, was unable to secure credit approval for the mine for reasons, Evans stresses, that were unrelated to the project. Scotiabank was able to stand in at the eleventh hour, and the companies officially announced credit approval for a US$370 million financing deal in early February. “Project finance is very, very complicated in the best of circumstances,” says Evans. “To have to change a horse in midstride is very difficult, but under the circumstances it was a reasonably smooth transition.” The line of credit is the final piece of the puzzle in funding the $858-million construction phase. The development of the mine will continue to be financed by equity until the end of March, at which point Mountain Province will begin drawing on the debt facility for capital and working capital to push through to commercial production. De Beers is funding its share of the costs internally.

upfront PROJECTS & CONSTRUCTION

Diamonds are special The site will eventually process three million tonnes of kimberlite per year over a 12-year mine life, producing an estimated 4.5 million carats annually. For De Beers, which owns 51 per cent of the unincorporated joint venture, the project could represent a powerful brake on over two decades of a declining market share. The project is the largest and richest new diamond mine in the world, and the seventh largest overall in terms of expected value produced. While finding a new diamond mine is said to be a hundred times harder than finding a new gold mine, freeing the gems should prove somewhat simpler. Evans, who has experience in the platinum, copper, nickel and gold sectors, says processing the ore at Gahcho Kué will be easier than any project he has worked on before. A mill and crushers, supplied by IMS Engineering, will break down the ore and feed it into a Polysius high-pressure grinding roller. Then dense media separation separates a diamond concentrate from the ore, before X-rays and grease belts remove the diamonds from the concentrate. The diamonds will be split between the partners: 49 per cent to Mountain Province and 51 per cent to De Beers. “There are no chemicals or high-pressure systems or complicated metallurgy involved,” says Evans. “It’s the easiest of any commodity.” That, he adds, reduces the cost of the plant.

Once completed, the operating mine will employ about 370 full-time workers. Impact and benefit agreements (IBAs) signed with six First Nations groups in the area provide mainly for procurement contracts. The mine’s diesel supplier, for example, is a First Nations company. Training and employment are also included in the IBAs, and the socio-economic agreement with the government of the N.W.T. specifies employment targets for northerners. There are benefits to having a local workforce, but Evans – a South African – says he takes a global view. “Not every northerner has to work on a mine, no more than you or I have to work on a mine. The opportunities are there, and if there’s a northerner who does wish to have a career as a miner, they will have the benefits of training and employment and advancement opportunities.” Construction of the Gahcho Kué mine is scheduled for completion in December, and commissioning is to start next January. By the third-quarter of 2016, the companies aim to begin production, ramping up to full commercial production by January 2017. For one of the joint venture participants, though, that will just be the start of the work: De Beers will be operating the mine once it is in production. In the meantime, Mountain Province and De Beers are focused on getting the mine built. That means getting their equipment to site. So for now, the “bloody cold,” as Evans put it, is the company’s greatest ally. CIM

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Courtesy of Seabridge Gold

Starting downstream Seabridge Gold’s KSM project receives environmental approval By Chris Balcom

The KSM project holds one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper/gold deposits.

roject leaders for Seabridge Gold have been taking a deliberative, proactive approach to the company’s KSM (Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell) project in northwestern British Columbia. Construction has yet to begin at the 4,925-hectare site, but the company’s plans have evolved dramatically since it discovered the Mitchell deposit in 2006. Located 35 kilometres from the Alaskan border, KSM is one of the world’s largest undeveloped gold/copper deposits, with Proven and Probable Reserves of 38.2 million ounces of gold and 9.9 billion pounds of copper. Seabridge initially envisioned KSM as an open-pit project at three deposits but is now planning a mix of underground block cave and open-pit methods at four distinct deposits: Kerr, Sulphurets, Mitchell, and Iron Cap. The block caving method will eliminate 2.3 billion tonnes of waste rock stripping, which will significantly reduce the mine’s environmental impact and the size of the rock storage facility. When it is built, the project will consist of two separate sites. The first will include the mines, as well as the water management and treatment facilities. This will connect to the processing and tailings management area via two 23kilometre-long tunnels. The KSM property changed hands a number of times before being acquired by Seabridge in 2000. Exploration began in 2006, and Seabridge initiated the environmental assessment process with provincial and federal regulators in 2008. The province approved the project last July, and the federal government followed suit five months later.

Building relationships As part of the environmental assessment process, Seabridge spent more than six years negotiating with First Nations in the area, incorporating many of their concerns into the site design in the early stages of the process. Portions of the project fall within the Nass Area, a 26,000-square-kilometre region over 34 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

which the Nisga’a Nation has constitutionally protected rights to public consultation and its own requirements for environmental assessments. The Nisga’a Nation worked closely with Seabridge to develop appropriate environmental conditions, and the two parties entered into a comprehensive benefits agreement last June. Seabridge has also signed an environmental agreement with the nearby Gitanyow First Nation and remains in dialogue with other First Nations who use the area. Edward Allen, communications director for the Nisga’a Lisims government, says the Nisga’a Nation’s overall experience with Seabridge has been “very positive.” He adds that even in the early stages of the project, it was clear that Seabridge had read and understood the Nisga’a final agreement. Signed in 2000, the agreement is the first modern treaty in British Columbia. “Our work with Seabridge was a welcome point of departure from some of our earlier pre-treaty experiences. “It was clear that Seabridge wanted to approach this project in a spirit of partnership and cooperation,” Allen says. “It was a relatively straightforward process to identify our concerns and for Seabridge to incorporate them into its plans for mining activities in the Nass River area.” As Peter Williams, Seabridge’s senior vice-president of technical services, explained, KSM’s 52-year mine life and daily throughput of 130,000 tons forced the company to adopt a “robust” approach to the environment. “You have to give world-class projects the respect they deserve,” he says. Chris Hamilton, executive project director for the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office, was responsible for the provincial assessment. He says he was impressed with Seabridge’s attitude throughout the process: “They were responsive and they were interested in doing the right thing, which is kind of a treat for regulators.”

upfront PROJECTS & CONSTRUCTION

Design changes The Nisga’a Nation was particularly concerned about the potential impact the project would have on water quality in the region. In response, Seabridge made significant design changes to the tailings and water management facilities. Both the access and discharge points of the tailings ponds were moved from Teigen Creek to the Treaty Creek Valley to protect the local salmon habitat and other vulnerable wildlife in the area. This move involved some redesigns of the facility, as the Teigen and Treaty creeks are on opposite ends of the valley. The tailings dams are nestled within this valley, and the buttressing of the valley walls offers the dams good natural protection. The company voluntarily added a third cell in the centre of the tailings facility with a geomembrane liner to collect and store the potentially acid-generating waste. It will be one of just a few lined tailings ponds in the province, adding a cost of $131 million. The total cost of the third cell will be $256 million. Seabridge also more than doubled the size of the water treatment facility and is teaming up with local water treatment firm BioteQ Environmental Technologies to develop an innovative selenium water treatment technique using ion exchange. The company is also avoiding any use of surface water drainage ditches for primary water control and management in favour of a safer, yet much more expensive, 50kilometre-long network of twinned diversion tunnels. Ditches will still be used for some secondary water diversion. The design initially included surface ditches, but the diversions were moved underground in the early stages of the environmental assessment to enhance the robustness of the water management system.

Environmental impact

downstream environment?’ rather than ‘What do I have to build here in order to operate?’”

Economics Seabridge’s efforts obviously come at a cost. The company claims its design changes will add nearly $500 million in capital and operating expenses over the life of the mine. Yet Williams says he believes this is simply the cost of getting the project done properly. He points out that many projects of a similar scale often fail to deliver on extravagant promises, which is disappointing for investors. In contrast, he says Seabridge is “putting in a production schedule and a capital schedule that’s realistic.” The group gave the project, with start-up capital costs estimated at US$5.31 billion, a five-year construction estimate. Seabridge has spent $205 million on KSM since 2006. “We’re not going to reduce the construction timeframe so we can save net present value,” Williams explains. “We want to take proper controlled steps in the field so the environment always comes first.” Seabridge is still looking for a partner to bring the site to production, and Williams acknowledges that its approach has made his search more difficult. Yet major mining companies that have been “stung by pretty major disappointments” and stuck with unexpectedly high costs are actually quite pleased with Seabridge’s work on KSM. As it waits for the remaining permits and searches for a partner, Seabridge has assembled an independent geotechnical review board to look at the design, construction, operations and closure of the water storage dam and the tailings management facility. After years of experience elsewhere in the field, Williams and Murphy are strong believers in Seabridge’s approach, saying many of the company’s voluntary efforts ought to become standard industry practice. “I think it’s a new way of looking at these major sites,” Williams says. CIM

Williams says that from day one, design plans revolved around protecting the downstream environment, with a focus on determining how the mine could operate without disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem. For instance, the water CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING CONFERENCES RENCES treatment facility will release water back into the stream at Sulphurets Creek’s natApril 12-15, 2015 ural flow rate to ensure the ecosystem is V ancouvver, Canada unaffected by a change in flow rate. Water with elevated levels of selenium will be www.minewatersolutions.com treated in the selenium treatment plant, then treated again with the rest of the conJune e 1-3, 2015 tact water and seepage at the main water Vancouvver, Canada treatment facility prior to release. “We’re www .mineclosure2015.com stopping water because it’s been impacted by the mine,” Williams explains. “We have to be able to treat it and get it back into September 13-16, 2015 the creek the way the creek wants it.” Re eno, Nevada Vice-president of environmental affairs www .heapleachsolutions.com Brent Murphy elaborates on Seabridge’s philosophy: “We stood downstream and looked back up towards the mine site, and asked ourselves: ‘How can we operConferenceMine.com Mine.com InfoMine ate this safely, without impacting the

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 35

Courtesy of Mammoet

Big bold build Vale and Mammoet’s modular approach to the Long Harbour project By Kelsey Rolfe

Modules were transported to Vale’s Long Harbour site using selfpropelled modular transporters.

hen Vale planned the construction of its nickel processing facility in Long Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, off-site modular construction was identified early on as an opportunity for time and cost savings. Vale contracted Netherlands-based Mammoet in 2009 to consult on, and later provide, the transportation of 600 large components to the Long Harbour site. The transportation was done from the middle of 2010 to late 2012, and included 160 modules, weighing up to 1,200 tons, from fabrication yards across North America. The hydrometallurgical processing plant began commercial production last July. The US$4.25-billion project was primarily stick-built in Long Harbour, employing more than 6,000 workers. The use of modules for some of the facility allowed Vale to decongest the construction site, as pieces of infrastructure could be built in parallel, rather than sequentially. This approach was particularly important for maintaining the project schedule given the prevailing labour market: in Newfoundland and Labrador – and more broadly in Atlantic Canada – skilled labour was in short supply, with several large-scale industrial projects competing for qualified workers. “Distributing some of the work to areas outside Atlantic Canada relieved some of the pressure on our timelines and budget,” says Michael Fleming, Long Harbour’s quality and risk manager. “We knew our requirements put us at or near the limits of local labour supply and vendor capacity, so bringing additional resources to bear from outside the region made sense.” Vale and Mammoet had preliminary meetings in 2007, where Vale expressed interest in modular construction. Glen Aitken, Mammoet’s vice-president of sales for Eastern Canada, says the mining company was keen to explore what could be done. “Vale had a lot of logistical challenges and asked our opinion on many different criteria,” he says. “At the time they seemed skeptical that some of the things could be done, but we were quite confident that it could be built that way.”

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Mammoet was involved from the earliest planning stages, first consulting with engineers to allow for a more integrated approach to designing, and then transporting the parts of the facility. The company also reviewed Vale’s chosen fabrication yards’ proximity to wharfs. “When we had sourced the facilities,” explains Dan Donnelly, the former construction manager at Long Harbour, “we got the facilities’ characteristics and capabilities from the owners, and then worked with Mammoet to ensure those facilities could meet project requirements for the barge portion of the job.” Vale planned in advance the order in which the modules would need to be constructed and delivered to Long Harbour – a process that Donnelly says took about a year. Mammoet began transporting the modules in two phases in mid-2010. The first phase was the daily transportation of fully constructed modules assembled in Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, with the larger modules coming by barge and smaller modules by truck. Phase 1 continued as Phase 2, the sea transport of modules from the three major fabrication yards in Brewer (Maine), Corpus Christi (Texas), and New Iberia (Louisiana) started in early 2011. The transportation job concluded in late 2012. During Phase 2, in addition to the three major fabrication yards, smaller modules and tanks were also barged from a number of other ports and yards in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River system. “The whole process was truly cross-continental,” says Fleming. “Besides fabrication yards, we engaged suppliers across the Great Lakes area, in Canada and the U.S., which shipped up the St. Lawrence Seaway. Local suppliers played a part too. Mammoet partnered with Hunt’s Transport Ltd., a Newfoundland and Labrador-based company, to carry out a significant amount of the trucking.”

Serious logistical challenges According to Fleming and Donnelly, around 34,000 pipe welds, 75,000 linear metres of pipe, 15,000 tonnes of steel,

upfront PROJECTS & CONSTRUCTION

150 kilometres of cable, and 7,000 square metres of building cladding went into the 160 largest modules. Equipment and smaller pipe rack modules were constructed in Argentia, electrical room modules in Maine, building modules in Louisiana, and larger pipe rack modules in Texas. The modules were shipped by tugboat-pulled barges from the fabrication yards to Long Harbour. At the project’s peak, Aitken says Mammoet had 10 barges cycling between the four major fabrication yards, vendor facilities in the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Long Harbour. He says hundreds of Mammoet employees were involved in the project, including marine engineers in the Netherlands who developed stowage plans for modules on the barges, designed sea-fastening steel fixtures to prevent the modules from shifting in rough seas, and developed towing plans for every barge shipment depending on the geography, time of year and type of modules on board, among other factors. The weather presented a challenge for Mammoet. Vale wanted year-round delivery, but both summer and winter were difficult transportation seasons. “In the summertime, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, there are a lot of hurricanes or tornadoes,” says Barend Schuring, who at the time was Mammoet’s vice-president of operations for Canada East. “In the winter time, when the Gulf area is more favourable, then there are cold weather and difficult conditions around Newfoundland. There were a lot of times we had to find shelter with a loaded barge to hide from the bad weather, and then start again, to basically make sure the modules, the cargo, every single piece stayed intact.” Offloading the modules at Vale’s port facility in Long Harbour and transporting them up to the plant construction site also came with its share of logistical issues. The port, which Vale was redeveloping, had originally been constructed in the 1960s and was not designed for handling modules. To avoid damaging the port’s facilities, Mammoet designed and installed fendering to act as a cushion between the quay edge and the arriving barges. The use of 50-foot ramps helped to bridge over the dock, so no heavy loads were placed on the dock’s edge, where it is weakest. “The dock wasn’t ideal for this type of operation, but we made it work,” Aitken says. On the road up to the site, the modules had to cross over a river. Their heavy weight exceeded the load capacity of the bridge Vale had in place, which was designed to support the long-term operations requirements of the processing plant, so Mammoet had a modular steel bridge built over the existing structure. There was about a 100-metre elevation difference between the port and the plant site, so Mammoet provided criteria for Vale to design the road with a gentle grade. “Because of the weight and the method of transport of these modules from the port up to the plant site, we had to be careful as to how steep we built the access road,” Donnelly says. “In the end, we kept that road under six per cent grade to allow these modules to be able to travel up it.”

Modular transporters The modules were moved from the port to the plant site using self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs).Once they

arrived at the plant site, Mammoet staff helped with the installation. “We had to use a lot of different methods to transfer the modules from the SPMTs to the foundations where they were going to be installed permanently,” Aitken says. A few of the smaller modules were able to be lifted off the SPMTs by crane, but most had to be removed with alternative methods. One technique, called jacking and skidding, involved sliding a module sideways off the SPMT onto steel tracks and jacking it down to the ground using hydraulics. A simpler technique was to drive the module right over its elevated foundation and then set it down with the SPMT’s hydraulics. Vale’s decision to engage Mammoet at the early stages of construction planning is what transportation experts say they believe should be happening in more modular construction projects. “Vale included Mammoet early on with consulting, so we were involved with a portion of the design before they actually went ahead with it,” says Schuring. “It was very nice they took that effort, because everything lined up a little bit better.” Getting transportation providers involved in large modular jobs is becoming more common worldwide, Schuring says, but “for our Canada brands, I would say this project was unique because we never were involved that far in advance before.” CIM

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“Magic to be made” Tahltan leader proud to be building a new mining industry Courtesy of Tahltan Nation Development Corporation

By Chris Balcom

arry Merkel has only been president and CEO of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) for a year and a half, but he is already taking the company to new heights. Merkel has worked with the firm for more than 15 years and also has his own consultancy, Forest Innovations, which he founded in 1985. As the business arm of the Tahltan Nation, a First Nation in northwest British Columbia, TNDC plays a crucial role in developing the province’s resource extraction industries. Merkel has a keen understanding of the relationship between resource extraction companies and First Nations, and says he believes both groups stand to learn a great deal from each other.

CIM: Can you give us a bit of background on TNDC? Merkel: We’re 30 years old this year. We started as a residential construction company and since then we’ve expanded to have four main divisions and 30 separate companies. The core of what we do right now is heavy construction and remote services. We develop and dismantle major projects including camps of all sizes. The rest of our companies provide a wide range of services including tunnelling, communications and transportation. We created an environmental company a number of years ago. We’re just starting an airline. We try to cover the range of goods and services that a development would require. CIM: What have you been involved with in terms of mining construction? Merkel: I don’t think there’s any phase of mining that we haven’t been involved in. We’ve done everything from preliminary exploration to final reclamation. We’ve built, operated and dismantled major exploration camps for up to 500 people, developed almost all aspects of a mine, provided operational support in many areas and reclaimed many 38 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

operations. We’ve done blasting, tunnel building, and lots of preliminary design and environmental work for mines. For the Red Chris project, we provide transportation, shipment of goods and services, ore hauling, site and road maintenance, communications, remote services, tires, fuel … it’s extensive. We’re working out the details, but I’m hoping we’ll have finalized the details around TNDC maintaining the tailings impoundments for the life of the mine within a month or so. Red Chris would be our biggest project right now. We’re also working with Pretium Resources on its Brucejack project; Seabridge Gold on its KSM project; Atrum Coal on its Groundhog project; and Teck Resources on both its Galore and Schaft projects. We’re also working on many exploration-level projects, but those are all at different stages. CIM: Are there more services you’d like to offer? What’s your ideal scenario? Merkel: I would like to move TNDC into a position where we’re doing contract mining, but I haven’t found a client that is interested in that approach yet. There are a few of them out there, but the companies we’re working with right now don’t do contract mining. We are talking to one company about that possibility and if we get it, it’s going to be huge. CIM: How significant is mining in terms of your overall operations? Merkel: For the past 15 years or so, mining’s probably been 75 per cent of our operations. I don’t want the amount of mining work TNDC does to go down but I want it to go down proportionally to the rest of our work. We’re working to build other industries, particularly long-term infrastructure-type projects. From our perspective, if we can get a lot more of those in place it provides us with long-term and more stable opportunities.

upfront PROJECTS & CONSTRUCTION

CIM: What have been your major challenges as a company? Merkel: I think our biggest hurdle has been that we’re a First Nations company. One of our board members said it best: “As an aboriginal company you pretty much have to prove yourself two or three times more than other companies.” There’s a huge stigma associated with Aboriginal Peoples and companies. But my experience is that once people get past that and they understand they’re working with a company that provides a quality and cost-competitive product, it has a lot of advantages to them as a developer, both in terms of social licence and overall effectiveness. The Tahltan have been in business as a culture for the thousands of years we’ve been in the Stikine Valley. We controlled the trading corridor into northwest B.C. and Yukon, and we fought very hard to control that corridor. That’s the essence of who we are; that kind of entrepreneurial and businesslike thinking lives in our community. We’re a very workoriented kind of people but we didn’t have a lot of experience at managing a modern business. We’ve gone through major transformations that have changed the way we work, and thus changed people’s view of us. CIM: Do you work mainly within Tahltan territory or around British Columbia? Merkel: I wouldn’t be surprised to see us doing at least one major project outside of our territory this year, but we have three in the hopper. It really depends on where those projects go. At this point we would stay within northern B.C. We have to test run all the systems we’ve been building and make sure we can successfully manage an expanded scope. If you don’t have the infrastructure and the capacity to manage something, you shouldn’t be doing it; you should just say “No” and take the time to build it. The dream someday is we’ll be able to work with other communities to help them build up too, so that they can do this in their own areas on major projects where they live and work. That’s a little ways away yet; you have to walk before you can run.

CIM: Where do you see your place in British Columbia’s mining industry in the years to come? Merkel: When we first started, there was a company that had a mine going up in our territory, and they were going to build a road into it that proposed three major river crossings and 26 major salmon-bearing stream crossings. So we said to the company, “No, this is wrong. That’s not acceptable.” Our people got into a serious fight with them about it. We had roadblocks and everything, until the company finally asked, “Well, what do you want?” and we said: “We want this road to be a lot more friendly to our land, our people and our fish. Here’s the design, and we want to build it.” The company thought we were just full of it but in the end they caved in. We took it down to one major river crossing and three major salmon-bearing stream crossings. It turned out we had a fairly reasonable relationship with that company afterwards. The standard now is certainly much better than it used to be, but there’s still a lot of room to improve further. If you get into a partnership with our kind of entity, I think there’s magic to be made, frankly. We can start building some models that can become the industry standard. I think that’s where the industry is going to go. I don’t think there’s any way around it. And once you start building these relationships, I think people’s ideas of resource development and extraction are going to change. CIM

CIM: Tell us a bit about your partnerships. Merkel: We rely enormously on our partners’ expertise, and they rely enormously on ours. It’s sort of a synergistic relationship and there’s a bit of an art in building that. I would say there is no way in hell that any First Nation or community could build a diverse economy and all of its components on its own. You have to rely on experts and partners including other businesses, governments and communities. Building this kind of partnership and having all your partners completely committed to your cause is no easy task. We really work hard to find companies that are like us in a sense, that share our values and approach to business and have a strong social conscience. They’re very keen, they’re totally committed to the kind of dream that we believe in. March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 39

LIVE WIRE ACT All photos courtesy of NASA

Miners must grapple with price variability and a huge array of options to keep operations powered up By Chris Windeyer

The cost of electricity is generally the second biggest cost factor that miners face. Only the workforce costs more. In Canada alone, miners (excluding coal) spent $2.4 billion on energy costs in 2012, according to figures from Natural Resources Canada.

That was up from a 2011 tally of $2.2 billion that included coal. At the same time, no other significant cost factor varies so widely – internationally, more than 800 per cent variation in the price of electricity from one jurisdiction to another is accepted as normal. So what can miners do to turn such risks into opportunities? “If you’re sitting in northern Quebec and you have access to the hydro grid, there’s nothing that will beat Hydro Quebec’s rates,” says Steve Letwin, CEO of Toronto-based Iamgold, which owns mines in Quebec, Suriname, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Letwin says Quebec’s electricity costs 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared with off-grid Africa, where Iamgold relies on diesel and heavy fuel oil, and costs can reach 30 cents per kWh. The recent decline in oil prices has knocked those off-grid costs down to around 21 cents per kWh, which Letwin says translates into cash cost savings of around $200 per ounce. At Iamgold’s Essakane mine in northeast Burkina Faso, currently operating with costs of around $1,000 per ounce, Letwin says halving the mine’s power costs would bring cash costs down to about $800 per ounce; it is roughly the same impact as doubling the grade. “Given that we produce 400,000 ounces, that’s $80 million of cash flow,” he points out. “That’s a back-of-the-envelope [calculation] but it shows you the trade-off. Power has a huge impact on the economics.” Whether or when Letwin and other miners in Africa will see their access to reliable power grids change is anybody’s guess. “Transmission infrastructure expansion in developing countries is driven primarily by a desire for economic growth and an enabling of investments in key strategic areas and industries; however, timing and triggers for doing so will vary,” says Georges Arbache, vice-president at KPMG’s Global Infrastructure practice in Toronto. “For example, a number of large Chinese companies have made significant investments in Africa, and it may be that in order to support their businesses, joint venturing with otherwise cash-constrained local national grid companies is essential in order to stabilize the power and transmission infrastructure they require to operate effectively.” When considering projects, the key is to find the right balance of power costs, with factors such as political risks, the geology and the cost of labour, when conducting preliminary assessments, explains John Mullally, director of corporate affairs for Vancouver-based Goldcorp. He gives the example of Ontario, where political risks are low and mostly come in the form of “regulatory creep,” permitting delays and relatively

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high labour and energy costs by North American standards, which are expected to rise. “We’re willing to bear the cost of a higher cost jurisdiction,” he says. Goldcorp has four operating mines in Canada, of which three are in Ontario and require a total of 70 megawatts (MW) of power to run. Figures for the new Éléonore mine in Quebec, which poured its first bar last October, are not available. Globally, all of its mines are connected to the grid, except for its open pit Peñasquito project in Mexico, which runs on diesel.

Mexico is one of the places where power infrastructure, and the rules surrounding it, is changing rapidly, Arbache points out: “Mexico recently announced significant reforms to its entire energy sector because there’s a huge generation supply deficit, among other factors. For mining companies […] it’s going to be simpler to gain access to alternatives and renewables offering better quality power. Power prices in Mexico are expected to rise significantly over the next 20 years because of the need for investment in the grid and on the

generation supply side, so renewables offer a hedge against rising power prices, essentially.” With Mexico’s reforms expected to take effect later this year or early next year, more attractive combinations of grid-based and renewable power may become available soon for wouldbe miners.

Matters in the hands of miners

Goldcorp still uses diesel as a backup fuel at all of its mines, but Mullally says it is trying to wean itself off it. While Ontario’s industrial electricity prices can top nine cents per kWh, it is still cheaper than diesel. Increasingly, he says, Goldcorp is using natural gas to heat buildings. “The price has certainly helped and the supply has as well. There’s been a huge influx [of gas] into the province.” That is also why “there’s been a lot of investment in conservation and demand management,” Mullally says. “It’s always easier to conserve and reduce our energy footprint.” That has meant adopting techniques like batch milling instead of running the mill constantly, running crushers intermittently, and using sensors to govern mine ventilation. “That’s a huge component of energy costs, essentially pushing air down into the mine to keep the particulate and emissions down.” Being connected to the grid, however, is no guarantee of a steady power supply, notes George Davies, a senior advisor to Hatch and a former Ontario deputy minister of energy. He says ongoing grid improvements in northern Saskatchewan are a response to reliability problems plaguing the region’s uranium mines, which have been experiencing several outages every year. Those outages trigger the need for backup power and drive up costs. In many developing countries, connection to the grid is simply too risky. Davies says Barrick once declined Tanzania’s

Industrial electricity prices varied 290 per cent from 2006 to 2011 among seven OECD countries with significant mining industries. US$/MWh

180

160

140

120

100

0 2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

United States Canada* Finland** Mexico Poland Turkey Chile *2011 data not available **2006 data not available

Source: OECD

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The utility of the future

offer to split the cost of connecting the company’s mines to the national utility’s grid over concerns about the grid’s reliability. “It had to make a choice between making an arrangement with the government to have the grid expanded to its location or investing in its own supply,” Davies says. “This is typical of many third-world countries. There is such a lack of faith in the quality of management of the government-owned utility that for purposes of certainty the mining company has to make the decision to invest in its own electricity generation. That comes at a very significant cost premium.”

Off-grid miners are progressively looking to renewables to combat power costs, but renewables work for on-grid mines too. KPMG’s Arbache says a system that efficiently incorporates the variety of potential energy sources is what his firm refers to as “the utility of the future.” A 2014 study by the International Renewable Energy Agency found that the levelized cost of photovoltaic solar power dropped by half between 2010 and 2014, although it still ranges wildly between $0.07 and $0.40 per kWh. The cost of onshore wind energy is now competitive with fossil fuel generation and is sometimes cheaper. But the report also notes that “the installed costs and capacity factors for renewable energy are highly technology- and sitespecific.” Wind resources, for example, are notoriously finicky, depending on location, and costs can range anywhere from under $0.03/kWh to more than $0.30/kWh. Iamgold’s Letwin says energy cost was the driving force behind his company’s construction of a five MW solar array at its Rosebel mine in Suriname even though, according to the Inter-American Development Bank, Suriname’s grid prices are relatively low, at around $0.05/kWh. But power costs for industrial users like Iamgold are governed by a series of power purchase agreements that, in the case of Rosebel, average out closer to $0.14/kWh. The Iamgold solar plant, which opened last August, is currently producing 1.1 MW of power, with any extra electricity being put back into Suriname’s domestic grid. With a capital cost of $11 million, the solar panels are expected to save Iamgold around $1 million per year. John Mathews, a professor at the MacQuarrie Graduate School of Management in Sydney, Australia, and author of The Greening of Capitalism, argues that the rapidly declining cost of renewable energy means miners that do not move to renewables risk being left behind.

Over 40 years, the average industrial electricity price in OECD countries has varied widely. US$110.87/MWh

US$66.43/MWh US$58.61/MWh US$49.79/MWh 1980

1990

2000

2010 Source: OECD

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All OECD countries have experienced industrial electricity price increases since 2000. Here is how prices stack up in seven mining nations. US$/MWh

160 140 2000

120

2010

100 80 60 40 20 0 Canada

United States

Finland

Mexico

As Mathews has written in Energy Post, an independent energy-focused website and newsletter, Chile has more than 18,000 MW of renewable energy projects – either proposed or under construction. That would more than double the country’s total current electricity production. A 110-MW solar plant, which is equipped with molten salt storage to provide constant power, and a 115-MW wind turbine array are now under construction to power copper projects in the Antofagasta region in northern Chile.

The deposit’s where it is and that’s that. – Brendan Marshall These developments are driven by Chile’s historically high power costs relative to its neighbours, around US$0.25 per kWh, according to a 2014 report by KPMG. Mining is Chile’s largest energy consumer, sucking up 85 per cent of the electricity produced in the country’s north, which is mostly generated by natural gas. Mathews contends Chile has benefited from China’s massive push to develop renewable energy. While that largely began as a way for China to combat its abysmal domestic air pollution situation, he says it has also driven down unit costs everywhere, and Chile has simply taken advantage, with some costs declining to as low as US$0.08 per kWh. “The example of Chile is there for all to see,” Mathews says. “What I see holding back adoption of renewable sources of energy in the mining industry is technical conservatism and failure of imagination to realize an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.”

Poland

Chile

Turkey

Guzzling cheap petroleum remains attractive

Source: OECD

But Letwin says it is not “technical conservatism” holding back more deployment of renewables, but the brute calculus of oil prices. “It’s when oil starts to move north of US$100 that you start looking at alternate energy sources like the sun and start realizing that a large capital investment may make sense if your mine life is long enough to support the investment,” he says. “For solar to pay off, you need about a 20-year mine life. That was at US$100 a barrel. So at US$50, you need an extended mine life in order to get your money back. The math gets a lot more challenging.” Brendan Marshall, director of economic affairs at the Mining Association of Canada, says one of the challenges for miners working in Canada is the location of a deposit relative to the available renewable resources. “You can’t move a mine,” Marshall says. “The deposit’s where it is and that’s that. The cost of the technology coming down is very helpful, but there’s a difference between pricing competition between technologies and the deployability for mining purposes.” And even if your mine is located in a sunny or a windy locale, there will always be night-time, cloudy days and days when the wind is not blowing. That means diesel, heavy fuel oil or natural gas is still a necessary backup. Right now, mass on-site storage of renewable power is exceedingly expensive and difficult. In April 2014, the New York Times reported that storing one kilowatt-hour in a conventional battery could cost hundreds of dollars. But Letwin says whoever solves the storage problem will have a game-changing technology on par with the internal combustion engine on their hands: “It will, mark my words, change the world.” CIM

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Science in the art of flotation By Alexandra Lopez-Pacheco

While the science behind froth flotation – one of the most critical processes for mineral recovery – is essential, the optimization of a flotation circuit has traditionally had the elements of an art form. Artists, however, are in short supply. This has plant operators increasingly calling on the maturing technology of froth cameras to improve efficiency and output.

Courtesy of Barrick Gold

chieving the basic frothing concept of separating hydrophobic material from hydrophilic material – where the former repels water and the latter attaches itself to water – is no easy feat. “You want the good minerals, the hydrophobic material, to go up to the top in larger bubbles and the bad minerals to fall to the bottom,” says Tom Fulton, operations manager for Imerys Talc’s Penhorwood mine in Timmins, which installed froth cameras last November. “We can always make the bubbles rise harder and faster by adding more chemicals or more air but the cost of that is the purity goes down a little bit. The larger the bubbles you have, the faster they rise, but that doesn’t allow the impurities as much time to go down.” Finding the perfect balance has historically been the role of flotation operators, who monitor the froth visually. They used their in-depth expertise, attained by working for years inside a plant, to understand the froth’s characteristics and changes. “An operator could look at the froth and tell you exactly what it was doing, but those skills have largely been lost,” says Michael Schaffer, president of Portage Technologies, a Toronto-based company that focuses on intelligent technology for mineral processing. As with any connoisseur, an operator needs a combination of hands-on experience and talent to be able to assess froth visually. But relying on individuals creates room for human error, regardless of their level of expertise. “Back in those days, it would change from day to day,” says Schaffer. “The operator could see the same froth differently from one shift to the next, resulting in inconsistent control. A metallurgist would look at the froth in the cell and say the cell had to be pulled a bit harder or slowed down. However, exactly what that meant was all subjective, as each operator would have their own interpretation.” Additionally, an operator simply does not have enough time in one shift to continuously monitor each cell. “A floatbank is typically quite large, particularly when you get to columns and you have to climb up the stairs,” says Schaffer. “How often does that operator walk and see an entire circuit over the shift?”

Froth cameras, installed directly over a flotation cell, helped Barrick manage issues with overflowing launders at its Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea (above).

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technology F L O TAT I O N

Courtesy of SGS

Froth cameras can record one or more areas of interest of the froth surface and monitor as well as calculate the speed and quality of the froth.

year after year, and not get tired. It’s more statistically rigorous. It’s actually calculating a number. Operators are not using math. They’re using their opinion.”

Rapidly improving technology

Today, there is another option for mining companies: froth cameras strategically placed above each cell that monitors the froth. “The camera captures the images and sends them to a computer for analysis,” says Hugo Araujo, a solutions specialist with SGS Advanced Systems, which offers intelligent systems that include froth cameras. The software that conducts the image analysis is where the real science in the technology lies. A single camera cannot record the entire froth surface due to its surface area, explained Araujo, so the software selects one or more areas of interest to represent the conditions of the entire cell. The algorithm is capable of counting, identifying the bubbles by size and tracking the speed of their movement. Based on this, the overall speed and quality of the froth can be calculated – and the air and reagents are adjusted automatically or manually. “The mantra in the industry is that you can only manage what you measure and you can only optimize what you can control,” says Schaffer. “With froth cameras, now when someone says, ‘Let’s pull it a bit harder,’ he can be specific and say, ‘Can you increase the cell velocity by 10 per cent,’ and you can actually dial that in because you are directly measuring your mass pull and quality of the froth.” The cameras, which look like security cameras, also allow for real-time monitoring of all the cells across the circuit. If the cameras are connected to a plant’s flotation control system, the software analyzing the images can automatically make adjustments. As well, an operator can view and monitor all the cells from a display in the control room at all times. “The computer is much more rigorous than a human,” says Fulton. “It’s quite happy to look at the bubbles every second,

While froth cameras have been around for close to two decades, the technology has leaped forward in recent years. One of the problems with the older software, for example, is related to using only one area of interest, typically near the lip of the cell. The velocity of the froth varies within the cell, slower in the centre, and faster near the lip. Different factors, including buildup in some areas can also result in speed variations. While it is still possible to mathematically calculate the overall froth speed, this was not always properly done with older systems. This was one of the issues that led Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton, B.C., to hire Portage to upgrade its controls system, including its existing froth camera system. “Basically, you end up with froth that’s turning around on the surface and has an apparent velocity in the area of interest, but it’s not actually being pulled because the froth level is lower than at the lip,” says Mike Westendorf, the mine’s mill superintendent. “Portage added algorithms to correct that.” In fact, says Schaffer, a single Portage camera can simultaneously look at three areas of interest and use the data to calculate the lowest, average and fastest velocities within one cell. Portage’s controls and froth cameras system also helped Barrick Gold Corporation’s Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea overcome its difficulties with overflowing launders – a problem older cameras would not have been able to detect. “When you’re looking at the top of the cell, the top layer of the froth looks as if it’s not moving, but what’s actually happening is the launder is overflowing and the slurry is pouring out onto the floor,” says Schaffer. Old cameras would have seen the top layer and indicated a need to speed up the froth, when in reality the correction needed was the opposite. Porgera installed a shiny plate on the launder, making it one of the camera’s areas of interest. Now, when the plate starts to get dirty, the system recognizes the launder is overflowing and automatically slows down the cell. Maintenance also used to be a source of grief. To capture the best image, the camera lenses had to be clean and the March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 47

Challenges

A top challenge that remains is choosing the right camera system, according to the representatives for mining companies with new froth camera systems we interviewed. “There are a number of different types of cameras on the market with quite a difference in pricing, so determining the particular style of camera to install and deciding on the company to deliver results is one of the most difficult challenges,” says Noel Moffatt, instrument and process control superintendent for Barrick’s Papua New Guinea operations. As well, for mines such as his that had no previous experience with froth cameras, it is imperative to find a supplier that can provide in-depth education on the technology. From considering the material of the brackets that hold the cameras to minimize corrosion to how they are positioned to avoid vibration or direct sunlight, careful installation is critical to both the longevity of the cameras and the quality of the images they capture. Customer service, says Fulton, is very important. “We have remote connection,” he explains. “So Portage can log onto our computer and fix most everything that might be wrong from Toronto. Also make sure you call their references and make sure their systems are as simple and trouble free as they say they are.” 48 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Courtesy of SGS

area well lit, which meant regular cleaning and light replacements. Plants are now equipped with long-lasting LED lights, more robust cameras and diagnostics that inform operators when the camera lens needs cleaning. In addition, modern cameras use five megapixel lenses. “We can put them farther away from the cell, which means they stay cleaner,” says Schaffer. One of the most dramatic changes in the technology has been cost. Twenty years ago, a froth camera system was a hefty investment as one camera alone could cost between $25,000 and $35,000. Now installation plus any additional engineering can run up to about $8,000 per camera. Even with a control system for automatic frothing adjustments, the typical total cost can range between a few hundred thousand dollars and some $500,000. Most new mines now include froth cameras as standard equipment and the number of established mines installing them keeps growing, says Schaffer.

Benefits and ROI

Froth cameras, On average, a good froth camera which used to cost system can result in about a one per up to $35,000 per unit, now run around cent increase in production, says $8,000 each. Araujo. Penhorwood mine began its froth camera installation last year in mid-November. Within a couple of months, the mine was already seeing notable improvement. “It’s working better than we were expecting it to work,” says Fulton. “Basically, your production rate goes up. In our case, if we throw 100 tonnes of rock into a plant, we used to be happy with a 30 per cent yield. Now, we get 35 tonnes of product for the exact same cost.” One of the goals the operations team at Copper Mountain had, when it upgraded its controls and froth camera systems, was to increase production consistency between shifts. With the new system, says Westendorf, the mine was able to reduce the variation in production level between crews to one percent from three or four per cent. These days, the return on investment can be remarkably quick due to a combination of the improved technology as well as the lower costs. “While each camera can produce some 200 points of data each cycle, we currently only use 25 points of data within the controls,” says Schaffer, pointing out that research and development is ongoing and quickly developing to use more of the data collected for increasingly accurate froth management. CIM

ONTARIO The province is rich with expertise and resources, and a hub for the Canadian mining industry. Today, both producers and the businesses that supply them are adding fresh ideas to the lessons learned from a long mining history to keep the sector strong and growing.

INSIDE: MINERS AND FIRST NATIONS COMBINE FORCES POWER COSTS HOBBLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROFILE: MACASSA AND SOUTH MINE MINING SUPPLIERS EXPLORING NEW TERRITORY TRAVEL: SUDBURY

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Combined forces A new partnership will jump-start mining contracts for First Nations in northern Ontario Courtesy of Cementation Canada

By Chris Windeyer

Trainees participate in a mining skills development program that Cementation Canada adapted for the First Nations Mining Corporation.

he First Nations Mining Corporation (FNMC) is emerging as an example of a new kind of partnership to further aboriginal interests in mining development in Ontario. Centred in northern Ontario and formally launched in early 2014, FNMC is a joint venture between four First Nations and three corporate heavyweights in the Canadian mining industry. Lac Seul, Flying Post, Mattagami and Wahgoshig First Nations own 51 per cent of the registered corporation, with SNC-Lavalin, Cementation Canada and the Morris Group holding minority stakes. “What we had envisioned for [FNCM] was finding a way that the communities can participate actively in mine construction, operation, and closure,” says Jason Batise, economic development and technical services advisor to the Wabun Tribunal Council, which represents the participating First Nations. According to the Ontario Mining Association, about one out of every 10 people working in Ontario’s mining industry has an aboriginal background. What is changing is that

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aboriginal communities are moving beyond participation via impact and benefit agreements (IBAs); they are now organizing businesses and joint partnerships to spearhead mine development. For the Wabun Tribal Council, mining is nothing new, says Batise. WTC is headquartered in Timmins, where gold mining has been going on for over a century. “From the First Nations’ point of view it was a way for us to develop our capacity instantly,” Batise says. “If we start from zero to develop on our own it might take us several decades to get to where the Lavalins or the Cementations have already gotten to.” That is where a company like Cementation Canada comes in. As a mine construction heavyweight, Cementation provides both entry-level mine training and more specific skills training for First Nations employees. Eric Kohtakangas, Cementation’s vice-president of operations, says his company has adapted a training program that was originally borne of the skills shortage caused by the com-

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Ontario

labour force targets contained in most IBAs. “Obviously we’re going to go in and build a project for the mine owner, but at the same time, we’re going to try to support that agreement,” he says. What is the benefit for Cementation Canada? Kohtakangas points out the company can be more competitive without adding additional project costs and by supporting strong First Nations participation. “It’s a benefit for all partners in the projects including the mine owners. In the end our goal is to be doing more of these projects with more of the First Nation communities and mine owners throughout the north.” The actual business of doing business is still down the road, however. The partners have a memorandum of understanding in place and are hammering out detailed agreements that will allow the partnership to begin bidding on contracts. “The more players you add, the more complicated it gets,” Batise says. “It’s not adversarial; it’s just a matter of making people comfortable with their positions within the corporation.” Still, Batise says FNMC’s ultimate goal is to offer a model for other First Nations in northern Ontario. He points to the Ring of Fire, where communities have less experience with mining of their lands: “If we can help out other First Nation communities along the way, rub some of our experience off on them and have them participate in the success of FNMC that would be a win-win.” CIM

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modities boom of the early 2000s and is now used exclusively to train First Nations workers. The program begins with a six-week basic mine training course – including three weeks of classroom training in their home community – to prepare new hires for working underground. At that point they pick up entry-level jobs and then, with further training, can choose a more specialized career path. “With any training program, you want to see 100 per cent success,” Kohtakangas says. “You don’t want to train 10 community members and come away with two [workers].” While other aboriginal-led mining companies like the Nunavut Resource Corporation have positioned themselves as investors in existing advanced-stage projects, Batise says FNMC’s aim is to instead be a full life cycle contractor, doing work from the exploration phase through to remediation and monitoring. “We want to be a First Nations mining company that can be turnkey for communities and for owners that are looking to satisfy the [impact benefit] agreements that they have,” he says. Kohtakangas notes that even with IBAs in place, smaller communities can struggle to glean benefits from projects simply because of a lack of capacity and skilled labour. FNMC can start working with communities beforehand to get them ready for projects. And all that ground work makes it easier for mine owners to hit the economic and

Electric fence Miners say power costs limiting investment in the province

Courtesy of Flickr/Markus Grossalber

By Ian Ewing

Critics of Ontario’s energy pricing policies from the mining industry argue the province’s energy costs and the uncertainty of rebate programs restricts new development.

espite operating in a well-respected and politically stable jurisdiction, miners in Ontario continue to struggle to compete on costs. Energy costs, and in particular electricity costs, are the second-largest expenditure for most mines, after labour. Despite the key role mining plays in the industrial output of the province, Ontario’s advertised electricity rate – the price before rebate and incentive programs are factored in – ranks among the highest in North America, affecting both profitability and new investment. The Association of Major Power Consumers in Ontario (AMPCO) estimates that an average transmission-connected class A industrial user pays more than any other comparable North American customer. In 2012 AMPCO’s methodology found an average cost of 7.6 cents per kilowatt-hour in Ontario compared to 7.3 cents in Alberta, 4.9 cents in British Columbia, and 4.5 cents in Quebec. Jennifer Beaudry, a spokesperson for the provincial minister of energy, contests these figures; comparisons made by her office put Ontario ahead of some provinces and U.S. states. [For more on the global energy market see our feature “Live wire act” on p. 40] But the competitiveness of Ontario’s electricity pricing depends on a number of industrial energy rebate and incentive programs – among them, the Industrial Electricity Incentive (IEI), the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI), and the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program (NIER), in which seven mining companies participate. These help lower the price most miners pay but are not a long-term solution, industry leaders say.

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“The challenge you’ve got is that anybody that wants to invest new capital for a 20-year mine life can’t base their economics on a three-year, temporary program,” says Ontario Mining Association president Chris Hodgson, “or a year-to-year program, in some cases.” Clarity around the long-term price is a problem, agrees John Mullally, director of corporate affairs at Goldcorp. “We have to have certainty of supply and some sense of what the electricity rate is going to look like in five or 10 or 15 years.”

EXCLUSIONARY PRINCIPLES For some companies, the government’s rebate programs create a competitive disadvantage. Wesdome Gold for example does not qualify for NIER because the company uses too little electricity. At its mine and mill facilities, which produced a total of 58,230 ounces of gold in 2014, Wesdome paid an all-in (net of taxes) effective rate of 7.84 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) last year and more than 10 cents per kWh for its assay laboratory facility in Wawa. According to Wesdome COO Philip Ng, the company uses less power to produce an ounce of gold than almost anyone else in the province but is not rewarded for its efficiency. “We actually get penalized. If we used seven per cent more electricity, we could drop our unit costs, because we’d get a 16 to 17 per cent reduction in our unit cost for electricity through NIER.

Courtesy of AMPCO

Ontario

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SPECIAL REPORT

merely to replace some of the generating capacity that was lost when Ontario closed the old plant while phasing out coal, according to Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan. The East-West Tie, meanwhile, will add redundancy and reliability, but without significantly boosting capacity or grid coverage. Neither will help lower costs for existing or new mines. The Northwest Bulk Transmission Line could eventually add significant transmission capacity and open up opportunities to connect currently isolated northwestern communities and mines to the grid, but the line remains in early planning stages. Historically, Ontario has also provided tax credits for companies that take on the upfront risk of capital investment. Ontario’s heaviest electricity consumers with monthly peak demand exceeding five megawatts fall into the Class A category, those industrial operations with lower demand are Class B. Hodgson considers this preferable to the approach taken in Quebec and British “They should create a level playing field, whether you’re Columbia, where the province makes the capital expendia 50,000-ounce producer or a 500,000-ounce producer.” tures. “If the company can borrow the money, they can And more than that, Ng says the paperwork to prove build the road, or they can build the hydro line,” he that a company qualifies for any incentive program is bur- explains. “Over the life of the mine, the government gives densome. Mullally agrees: “It takes major producers consid- them tax credits back, so that there’s no risk to the taxpayer. erable effort to understand and to apply to the Independent We’re basically funding that infrastructure but without takElectricity System Operator to take advantage, and then to ing the risk.” implement these programs, and then manage and report as But with no guarantee of cheap electricity even if they do required, and the teams you need,” he says. “I would guess build the infrastructure, investors have avoided undertakthat this would be very challenging for a smaller operation ing any such projects in Ontario. As Hodgson points out, with less manpower. They’re also not easily accounted for there is no way to quantify the amount of investment the when considering long-term investment in the province. ” province has missed out on because of high energy prices. Some companies count electricity among the reasons for WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT? moving or cancelling projects. The rising cost figured into Another ongoing issue is getting power to mine sites. Xstrata’s 2010 decision to move its smelting operations – Other provinces have recently invested in upgrading and and 670 jobs – from Timmins to Quebec. Uncertainty extending their electricity infrastructures. British Columbia about the future of the massive Ring of Fire development last summer finished the $746-million Northwest Trans- hinges on infrastructure issues, including electricity. mission Line project that will power Imperial Metals’ new It always comes back to the cost of producing metal. Red Chris copper and gold mine. The new line extends “Gold is produced around the world, and it’s sold at the low-cost, hydroelectricity 344 kilometres further north in exact same price, a fixed price,” says Mullally. “We have no the province than the previously existing network, opening control over our customers either. So, in mining, one of the up the economic development of a mineral-rich area and most critical concerns is managing your production costs. linking nearby communities to the grid. Ontario must compete and remain economic compared to Ontario does have similar projects in the works, accord- other jurisdictions in order to continue to attract investing to Beaudry. “We have made it a priority to ensure there ments from a finite pool of capital.” continues to be a stable, reliable and cost-effective supply of Fundamentally, miners and potential investors in electricity,” she says. “Northwestern Ontario is going to get Ontario want to see the price that most of them already pay the power it needs, including the power required for eco- reflected in the advertised sticker price of electricity. “We’re nomic expansion.” She cites several upcoming projects in fairly competitive if you can get into these programs, but northwestern Ontario, including the Thunder Bay Generat- they’re just short-term programs,” says Hodgson. “You can’t ing Station conversion, the East-West Tie Transmission blow a billion dollars on a 15- to-20-year payback based on Line, and the proposed Northwest Bulk Transmission Line. a three-year program.” However, a closer look suggests that none of these Ng adds: “To create jobs and make Ontario competitive, options will improve the situation for miners any time to be the business engine of Canada, Ontario needs a comsoon. The Thunder Bay Generating Station conversion aims petitive energy infrastructure.” CIM

Kirkland Lake Gold finds its feet again Roughed up by falling gold prices, the operators at the decades-old mine in northern Ontario put a sharp focus on cutting waste and boosting grades to get back on solid footing By Ian Ewing

rratic gold prices have affected every gold miner. As prices peaked above US$1,800 per ounce as recently as two and a half years ago, many companies invested heavily to expand their operations and take advantage of the historic highs. But when prices plunged to their more recent levels â&#x20AC;&#x201C; below US$1,300 an ounce â&#x20AC;&#x201C; many of those same companies discovered that their newly expanded operations were no longer profitable. Kirkland Lake Gold was one of those companies. How the miner has turned

54 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

itself around over the last year is a case study in re-examining basic assumptions in the business case and successfully implementing a wholesale culture change on the ground. During the boom, Kirkland Lake raised nearly $100 million for investment in the infrastructure at its Macassa and South Mine Complex in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. An upgraded hoisting system, new battery-powered underground mobile equipment, and a refurbished mill â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including a new 15-by-20-foot Sanland primary ball mill

All images Katelyn Malo

HOW TO STOP A SHIP FROM SINKING Concerns about the level of support that Ogilvie would experience from senior management, who remained from March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 55

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to supplement three existing Allis Chalmers mills – helped push capacity up to 2,200 tons per day from 1,400 tons per day with recovery rates of 96 per cent. The aim was to produce 200,000 ounces annually. At the same time, the labour force grew to 1,250 workers by late-2013 from 200 employees five years ago. Like many gold mining companies at the time, Kirkland Lake was building itself to push tons. “Two or three years ago, Kirkland Lake had a market capitalization of $1.5 billion,” says current CEO George Ogilvie. Like many miners, Kirkland Lake used the high gold price to lower its cut-off grade. The company began mining more marginal ore outside the high-grade veins that characterize the Macassa ore body. Then the gold price started to dive. “Suddenly, pushing tons at the expense of the grade was not going to make

SPECIAL REPORT

The narrow, high-grade veins at the Macassa and South Mine Complex have been mined since 1933. The emphasis at the mine is now ore quality over quantity.

money once the gold price dropped below US$1,500 to US$1,600 per ounce,” Ogilvie says. But with so much money invested in the plan to push throughput, Kirkland Lake attempted to stay the course. The company compounded its growing problems by setting goals to the market that it was unable to achieve. “They were over-promising and under-delivering, which was also affecting the share price,” Ogilvie says. Combined with the plummeting commodity price, its market capitalization collapsed to $150 million a year ago, spurring major changes at the mine. Ogilvie was brought on in November 2013 by then Kirkland Lake chairman Harry Dobson. He came from Rambler Metals in Newfoundland, where Dobson was also chairman. Ogilvie won Dobson’s confidence with his combination of experience in the ultra-deep gold mines of South Africa – a similar technical environment to Macassa – and with his success at bringing Rambler to production in the midst of the global financial crisis, during a notably difficult time for the mining industry. “Once I accepted the position, I already had a very good idea that to make the mine successful and make the company successful, we were going to have to get back to trying to mine closer to the reserve grade,” Ogilvie recalls. “It’s the one thing that differentiates Kirkland Lake from probably 99 per cent of the other gold mines in the world: the reserve grade. No matter what the gold price environment is, a core fundamental of our business has to be mining near or at the reserve grade at all times.” In fact, when Barrick and then Kinross owned it during the ’90s, the mine regularly mined at more than 18 grams per tonne. Ogilvie says he believed that getting back to that philosophy could spell redemption for the floundering operation. By mining at the current reserve grade – estimated at 17 grams per tonne – the company ought to have the capacity to remain profitable even in difficult gold price environments. In a very high gold price environment, the company would be able to make a substantially higher margin and generate free cash flow very quickly. But changing the philosophy of an entire company wasn’t going to be easy. “How do we change the culture from tons and quantity,” Ogilvie wondered, “and get people focused more on grade and quality?”

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The Macassa and South Mine Complex is on the forefront of mining technology with some of the newest and most unique equipment in the industry. Faced with ventilation limits that prevented the mine from growing its underground diesel fleet, Kirkland Lake became one of the first companies in the industry to introduce batterypowered vehicles. A brand-new fleet of 12 load haul dump (LHD) scoops and three haul trucks, manufactured by RDH Mining Equipment, take long-life lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which produce no emissions. The equipment enjoys flexibility that tethered electric machines and trolleys do not. The LHDs, with three-cubicyard buckets, use batteries that can put out 100 kilowatts (134 hp), while the mine’s 20-ton haul trucks are outfitted with 165 kW (221 hp) versions. Both sets of batteries are made from common components and use the same software and controls, minimizing spares inventory, says company CEO George Ogilvie. Of course, managing the batteries does require coordination as they must be swapped twice per shift. To ensure no downtime, one battery always has to be charging, one cooling, and one on the equipment. Captions, left:

The company still uses diesel LHDs, but it will continue replacing diesel machines with battery technology moving forward. March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 57

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BATTERY-POWERED MINING

SPECIAL REPORT

160 employees who were not the previous regime, were quickly allayed. The team was committed to “Once I accepted the position, replaced. The net loss of those change. In fact, they had made many I already had a very good idea 235 employees, or roughly 20 per cent of the total labour of the same recommendations that that to make the mine force, has not hindered proOgilvie subsequently implemented. duction. Among those changes, the number successful and make the Some skills did have to be one priority had to be to get the head company successful, supplemented, however. “This grade up, which meant reducing ore body is a very difficult ore external dilution. we were going to have body to read,” says Ogilvie, At the time Ogilvie came on, to get back to trying to mine due to the narrow veins of incremental ore was being mined as a closer to the reserve grade.” high-grade ore. “You might matter of course, says Kirkland Lake think you’re mining on the spokesperson Suzette Ramcharan. vein or mining in the ore, but Worse, other low-grade material, – G. Ogilvie in reality you could be in the including waste, was finding its way wall. It has to be very carefully into the ore pass. Whether due to workplace culture, the fact that the bonus system measured monitored.” So additional underground geologists were employees on tons and footage, or a combination of the two, hired to ensure every rock face could be inspected on waste in the ore pass was lowering the head grade and every shift. The bolstered force now takes 30 per cent decreasing productivity. Management acted quickly, using an more chip samples than it used to, and geologists mark up old method Ogilvie had picked up in South Africa. Supervi- lines on underground faces to direct miners where to consors put metal washers, stamped with a serial number and tinue mining in order to stay in the high-grade veins. The mine’s assay lab also received a staffing boost so it date, into the mine’s waste piles. As material entered the mill, magnets picked up the washers, betraying when and where could be active around the clock. Previously, the lab waste material came from – and therefore which miner had closed on nights and weekends, meaning an assay might directed it to the ore pass. Within six weeks, waste material not be turned around for up to 48 hours. With the newstopped entering the ore pass. Head grades jumped to 0.43 found focus on grade, uncertainty about the ore quality ounces per ton in January 2014 from 0.29 ounces per ton in was unacceptable. The assay lab now turns samples around in eight to 12 hours. “The next shift coming on November 2013, an improvement of nearly 50 per cent. In January 2014, the company was forced to cut 75 knows exactly what is ore and what is waste, and where it positions. Over the next year, attrition claimed another has to be moved to,” explains Ogilvie. Another important factor in the company’s turnaround – which is evident in its more recent market capitalization of Captions, opposite page: 1. The quality of the ore hoisted to the mill nearly $340 million – was raising the cut-off grade to 0.22 has gotten special attention. 2. In the maintenance shop. 3. There are ounces per ton from 0.18 ounces per ton. By decreasing the currently 1,015 workers employed at the mine. 4. One of of 12 new battery powered LHDs amount of marginal ore that is mined, the company saves

THE TURNAROUND KIRKLAND LAKE GOLD MARKET CAPITALIZATION Oct. 31, 2013

Feb. 19, 2015

$255

$345

million

million GOLD PRICE ($/oz.)

US$1,324 C$1,268

US$1,206 C$1,510

34% REDUCTION OF ALL-IN CASH COST PER OUNCE PRODUCED Q2 2015 (ENDING 10/31/14) VS Q2 2014 (ENDING 10/31/2013)

Miners are now given bonuses based on ounces produced, which replaces the old system focused on footage and volume.

on labour, equipment and processing costs. The mine is now using only 1,100 tons of its 2,200-ton-per-day capacity, but the higher grade ore and lower labour costs mean that the company is once again profitable and with free cash flow, a step in the right direction. Running the mill at half-capacity does create some inefficiencies, admits Ramcharan, due to the fixed costs of “keeping the lights on,” so to speak. During the summer, the mine was able to run the mill on a five days on/two days off sched-

58 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

ule, stockpiling material over the weekend to process the next week. “But in the winter, you don’t want to shut down the mill, for fear of something freezing,” says Ramcharan. “So we’ve gone back to seven days per week for the winter, so we do have some cost savings that we’re not able to see because we’re not operating at full capacity.” Additional exploration could find new high-grade targets that might help bring production up, but that is a longer-term plan. For now, the focus is on managing the current changes.

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March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 59

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These changes gave the company the technical capability to mine closer to the reserve grade it wanted again, but changing the culture meant more than just providing employees with better information and preventing them from taking advantage of the system. After nine months of evaluating the mine, Ogilvie and his new vice-president of operations, Chris Stewart, brought in a consultant to perform leadership training. Ray Bushfield of Laidy and Ray Consulting was hired to help improve the leadership, management and communication skills of the senior, mid-tier and front-line supervisors. During the company’s growth to 1,250 employees from 200, most had never received training to teach them the skills necessary for their new roles managing much wider areas of responsibility. Now they were finally learning how to communicate with their employees, provide feedback and, where necessary, counsel employees on difficult subjects like lack of productivity or absenteeism. Even more recently, in a move that mirrors the practices at Goldcorp’s high grade Red Lake operation, the bonus structure at Kirkland Lake was scrutinized with a thought to move the focus on ounces produced, rather than on footage and tons. Including components for safety and cost as well as productivity, the new bonus structure will be more in line with the company’s corporate objective to mine quality ounces.

The labour force itself, meanwhile, is still in flux as management tries to find the “sweet spot” where costs are minimized while production remains unaffected. Productivity is back up to the historical average at the site of one ton per day per worker, after dropping for a time below 0.9 tons per worker. Ogilvie says he believes, however, that the mine can produce 1,200 to 1,250 tons per day with the current labour force of 1,015 employees. He hopes to achieve that by the end of the mine’s fiscal year in April. Ramcharan notes that Kirkland Lake has budgeted costs for the 2015 fiscal year based on a gold price of $1,350. “We believe around $1,000 per ounce is a break-even point that we could sustain” with additional cost-cutting measures, she adds. With prices comfortably above that level for now, the company appears to be in good shape. Its gradually rising share price and return to profitability in the last two quarters bear that out. “Just because gold has come off $500 an ounce doesn’t mean this mine is going anywhere,” Ramcharan emphasizes. Blessed with one of the highest-grade ore bodies in the world, Kirkland Lake has always had the ability to be a winner. With its new focus on profitability instead of pure production, the company is on a path to live up to its potential once again. For the 10,000 residents of the town of Kirkland Lake plus the surrounding communities that depend on the mine as an economic driver, that is the best news they have heard in a while. CIM

SPECIAL REPORT

THERE’S MORE TO A MINE THAN JUST MACHINES AND A MILL

Beyond the backyard Northern Ontario mining suppliers outgrow their traditional customers By Eavan Moore

60 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Courtesy of Mel Suave/Global Growth

or every one person employed in an Ontario mine, there are two employed in the sectors that supply them. The expertise accumulated in the province has long overflowed its borders, but local developments and global forces have challenged mine suppliers who might otherwise have stayed content with local business. “We’re running about 15,000 people working just in Sudbury alone on service functions and products and services,” says Dick DeStefano, executive director of the Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA). “Vale and A technician for Abitibi Geophysics of Thunder Bay demonstrates ground survey equipment for international miner Vale. Glencore have maybe 5,000 people or 6,000 people total working. Mining sup- Vale’s operations hurt the mining suppliers that counted on pliers get to the point where they need to maintain their them for business. “It really caused a lot of financial stress on workforces, so they go look for other markets.” those suppliers that were significantly relying on Vale revDeStefano believes that more northern Ontario suppliers enues,” says Andrea Gaunt, mining sector advisor at Export have turned their attention outwards. Part of that is simply Development Canada (EDC). “And it really had them due to the universal downturn; in Ontario as everywhere rethinking international opportunities and globalization a else, mining has slowed in recent years. But Vale and Glen- little bit more seriously than they would have otherwise.” core (then Xstrata) also changed the local landscape when they acquired major customers Inco and Falconbridge in THE NEED TO EXPAND Dave Rector knows well the risks of depending on a few 2008 and 2009. “When the global mining companies purchased the customers. His machining business in Sault St. Marie relied Canadian assets, among all the other effects two actions on the steel and forestry industries, diversifying into mining occurred regarding the acquisitions,” explains Spencer only in 2006 when Weyerhaeuser’s local operations closed. Ramshaw, director, information and communications at the “Back in the ‘90s, we had three businesses that were 65 per Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for cent of our income,” he says. “To me, that’s scary, when you Export (CAMESE). “One, global suppliers became more have three big players and you don’t have much to back it aware of the Canadian assets as an opportunity via existing up. If you’re not moving forward and expanding, you’re relationships with Vale and Xstrata. Two, the procurement going to go stagnant, and the market’s going to walk away strategies and policies from these global companies were from you.” Now with a healthy mining customer base north of the integrated into the Canadian operations. These two activities together made it more important for Canadian companies to Sault, Rector is considering going further afield. He thinks explore their export potential as a result of the increased he could sell truck parts in South America, but he wants to wait a year or two before investing too much in an export out-of-Canada competition into their local markets.” Meanwhile, the risk involved in depending on a couple campaign. “Right now, we want to take care of the cusof companies hit home in 2010, when a prolonged strike at tomers that we currently have,” he says. “We don’t want to

Eager to sell to a global market, the management at Maestro applied right away to the Strategic Export and Marketing Program (SEMP), a program launched in 2011 as part of the Mining Supply and Services Export Assistance Program by the province but now funded by both FedNor and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and delivered by Ontario’s North Economic Development Corporation. The program was launched following a 2010 study that suggested just how large the mining supply sector in northern Ontario had grown. Before then, industry professionals had had a sense of its size, but the existence of solid numbers provided justification for giving formal support to smaller players. “It showed $5.6 billion worth of sales,” says DeStefano. “It showed 23,000 people employed in the mining supply sector in northern Ontario, and it showed that only 19 per cent of what they were producing was going outside of Canada, that 19 per cent was going to the rest of Canada, and 62 per cent was staying within the region.” The study made it all the more clear that the mining supply sector in Ontario is worth nurturing. Moreover, some companies do need help. As Scott Rennie, program manager at SEMP, puts it: “A large portion of the firms that were identified have way too much of their revenue locked up with very few customers in northern Ontario.” SEMP selects applying companies that are small and well-managed for one-on-one strategy development and mentoring over a six-month period. Jon Baird, former managing director of CAMESE, who has worked with 50 such companies over the last few years, says each firm is different – some should be exporting just to southern Ontario, others to specific provinces or countries. Mel Sauvé, president of Global Growth Results, also mentored companies in SEMP. He often found a willingness to export was the chief asset companies had. Some advicegivers, he says, suggest that exporting is exceedingly tough

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GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

and complicated: “They scare the heck out of these companies, when in fact, exporting is really easy.” That is easy, at least, if you have an export-ready product. Sauvé is able to help companies struggling with distributor networks and marketing, but fundamentally his mentees need to have a product that distinguishes itself on a global level. One such product was the novel belt alignment system offered by Conveyors Plus, started at the Timmins home of former Xstrata employee Dave Sharp. What started as a sideline in 2004 turned into overwhelming demand, compelling Sharp to quit his job at Kidd Creek mine and market his product full time. “The plan wasn’t to go really big,” he remarks. “I just wanted to work in Timmins, and then other people talked to other people, and that’s how it started off.” Sharp completed SEMP and then applied for its marketing assistance fund: $10,000 a year for trade show fees and similar expenses. It helped him expand to Saskatchewan potash mines, the oil sands, Labrador City, the United States, and the large mines in Chile and Peru. Joe Gladu, vice-president at Sudbury-based tech firm Symboticware, says Sudbury is a great incubator for mining technology; many mines are within an hour’s drive, and there is access to many different suppliers. But the six-yearold company always needed to think bigger. “Even beyond Ontario, looking at the Americas, we are seeing a bit more momentum in South America,” he says. “Canadian investment in these markets has certainly helped fuel demand for our solutions.” Symboticware also benefits from government support, including from EDC. For the last decade, EDC has provided accounts receivable insurance for Canadian exporters, wooed and provided financing to foreign buyers on the condition they consider Canadian equipment and services, and set up meetings between suppliers and potential foreign buyers. In 2013 EDC provided financial and risk management support of almost $13 billion to mines and their suppliers, which is nearly twice as much as it provided in 2005. Gaunt indicated that EDC has extended numerous foreign loans to international mining companies, such as Chile’s Codelco, on the condition that they increase their awareness and engagement with Canadian suppliers. Financing for Codelco, for example, has helped promote more than $888-million worth of purchases from Canada in the last five years, involving more than 150 suppliers of everything from engineering services to environmental technologies. For many of these foreign borrowers, EDC has noted a significant increase in procurement from Canada. There is still a tendency for mom-and-pops to throw their hands up at the idea of exporting, according to DeStefano. But for those intrigued by the idea, there are still more sources of help, the Industrial Research Assistance Program and Sudbury Regional Development among them. Over at SEMP, Rennie has a plug to put in for this year’s round of applications: “We hope to work with up to 12 more companies in 2015.” CIM

SPECIAL REPORT

grow too fast, and we want to see where the markets are going to go.” Michael Gribbons, vice-president of Sudbury-based Maestro Mine Ventilation, started manufacturing Ethernetbased monitoring and control equipment with partner David Ballantyne four years ago. For Gribbons, avoiding reliance on the local market means keeping employment steady. He has seen northern Ontario suppliers load up on labour in a local upturn and lay people off in a downturn. But Gribbons says he thinks valuable employees need to feel their job will survive during hard times. “So going into this, we made a conscious effort to avoid the lucrative local service-based business,” he says. Instead of tying up labour servicing ventilation equipment at the local mines, Maestro trained other service companies on its product and invested into scaling the business for the international market. Already, sixty per cent of its revenues are outside of Ontario, and the company plans to increase that number to 85 per cent in five years.

Environmental regulatory liability in the mining sector By Richard Butler and Nicole Petersen

ine operators across Canada let out a collective gasp on Aug. 4, 2014, after a breach of the tailings storage facility dyke at the Mount Polley mine. The next day, the B.C. Ministry of the Environment issued a Pollution Abatement Order to the Mount Polley Mine Corporation, ordering the corporation to undertake an environmental assessment and cleanup. What will happen if a mine accident like Mount Polley occurs in Ontario? How will the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) respond? It often comes as a surprise to corporate directors and officers (D&Os) that the Ontario government can and does issue orders pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) against D&Os directly and personally for environmental investigation and remediation.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY The MOECC regulates spills and discharges from mines pursuant to its powers under the EPA. Ontario’s Mining Act forms the regulatory framework for mine operations, closure and rehabilitation, but the Act does not explicitly impose personal liability on D&Os. In contrast, the MOECC has the authority to target D&Os directly for environmental offences committed by the company. That authority is not new. Numerous examples of D&O prosecutions and convictions exist in the mining, waste and industrial sectors. What is new, however, is the MOECC’s assertiveness in issuing remedial and preventive orders against D&Os. It can issue cleanup orders against any person who “has or had management or control of an undertaking or property.” A “person” may include the corporation, the D&Os of that corporation, and managers and employees. The order can require costly environmental monitoring, reporting and remediation.

THE BAKER CASE The MOECC’s willingness to issue cleanup orders against D&O was recently highlighted in the case of Baker 62 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

v MOECC. The end result: former D&Os of a bankrupt company paid $4.75 million of their own money to settle litigation. In Baker, Northstar Aerospace (Canada) Inc., a Canadian subsidiary corporation, voluntarily remediated trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination at its Cambridge, Ontario property. Northstar encountered financial difficulty during the lengthy remediation. The MOECC issued orders requiring Northstar to continue remediation, and to post $10 million in financial assurance. Northstar later obtained creditor protection and eventually declared bankruptcy, at which time the MOECC took over the remediation due to neighbouring human health concerns. In November 2012, the MOECC issued a new order against Northstar, its U.S. parent corporation, and 13 former D&Os (including D&Os from the U.S. parent). The order required the D&Os to continue costly groundwater monitoring and remediation. A number of the directors named were appointed after contamination took place, but MOECC took the position that Northstar’s D&Os failed to set aside adequate remediation funds prior to bankruptcy. The corporate directors appealed the order to Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT). The ERT denied an interim stay and held that interrupting the remediation program posed serious ongoing risks to human health and the natural environment. The directors unsuccessfully appealed this decision to the Superior Court and mounting litigation and remediation costs forced Northstar’s D&Os to pursue settlement. In October 2013, 10 of Northstar’s former D&Os resolved the matter by paying $4.75 million in exchange for a release from the MOECC’s order.

IMPLICATIONS FOR DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ONTARIO Baker showed that MOECC’s willingness to turn to D&Os for remediation funding may hinge on: • the significance of the pollution event • the degree of control of the D&Os

PLANNING FOR LIABILITY EXPOSURES The Mount Polley incident will spur heightened regulatory oversight of tailings storage facilities and mine operations in Canada. D&Os of mining companies active in Ontario, whether the D&Os reside in Ontario or not, need to plan for increased scrutiny of mine operations and environmental safety. D&Os would be wise to confirm whether their company offers D&O indemnification as well as a policy of D&O insurance with high coverage limits and no environmental exclusions. CIM Richard Butler is a lawyer at Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP in Toronto. Richard practises civil environmental litigation, including defending clients subject to environmental prosecutions or Orders. He advises clients from the natural resources, mining and exploration, manufacturing and electricity sectors. He can be reached at 416-862-4837 or by e-mail at rbutler@willmsshier.com. Nicole Petersen is a lawyer at Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP in Toronto. She may be reached at 416-642-4872 or by e-mail at npetersen@willmsshier.com.

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has been able to allocate the remaining $47.1 million in future costs. Even so, the Mount Polley story is not over: the B.C. government released its findings about the accident on Jan. 30, 2015. Further orders and prosecutions are pending.

SPECIAL REPORT

• the degree of control/involvement of the corporate parent • the financial (in)stability of the responsible company • the availability (or lack) of others to pay for remediation (e.g. insurance) In the event of a tailings discharge in Ontario, the mine operator should expect to receive monitoring and remediation orders similar to those issued against Mount Polley Mining Corporation. Depending on the extent of its management and control, the corporate parent may be named in the order and, similar to the Mount Polley incident, D&Os may (initially) escape being named in a regulatory order. For junior mining companies with a single operating property, an underfunded project or lacking appropriate environmental insurance, one substantial incident can throw the company into dire financial straits. In Ontario, failing to undertake remediation, or failing to set aside funds for remediation, incentivizes the MOECC to look to D&Os to make up the shortfall. Imperial Metals recorded $67.4 million in costs, including $20.3 million incurred for response and recovery. Production at the income-generating mine has stalled. In contrast to Baker, however, Imperial Metals is weathering the storm. Imperial Metals continues to actively monitor and remediate. Importantly, the company

TRAVEL Sudbury By Laura Gregorini

Situated in the small community of Copper Cliff a few minutes outside of Sudbury, the historic Copper Kettle Guesthouse was built at the turn of the century by then Inco Ltd. to accommodate its employees. Converted into a guesthouse in 2003, it features one- and two-bedroom furnished apartment suites with a separate bedroom and living room along with a fully equipped kitchen. On-site laundry facilities are available and guests have access to free

PLACES TO

wireless Internet. Prices range from $125/night for a onebedroom suite to $150/night for a twobedroom suite. Discounts are available to guests staying seven or more nights. Those staying for over a month avoid the harmonized sales tax. Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn, adjacent hotels operated under the Hilton chain are located in the city’s south end, about 30 minutes from the airport. Close to restaurants, grocery stores and retail shops, these

Courtesy of P199

STAY

Onaping Falls hotels have a pool and a fitness centre and they can accommodate business meetings with access to audio and visual equipment rental. Rooms range from $119/night for one king bed to $299/night

About 20 minutes from the airport and close to major highways are the Marriott hotels: Fairfield Inn and Suites and the TownePlace Suites. Located in close

it, Stompin’ Tom Connors penned the song “Sudbury Saturday Night.”

EAT

The city’s south end offers a broad range of cuisine from wood oven pizzas, pastas and desserts at Ripe Restaurant to fine dining, modern Italian cuisine and a wellstocked wine cellar at Verdicchio Ristorante/Enoteca. For more international flavours, head downtown to La Casa Mexicana located in

the historic Telegraph building, or Tandoori Tastes for authentic Indian and Pakistani halal food. Guests looking for a pint and some live music in the Elgin Street district should try the Laughing Buddha, which boasts an open-air patio in warmer months, or the Townehouse Tavern where, legend has

64 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite.

Courtesy of Tandoori Tastes

WHERE TO

reater Sudbury has been a centre of mining activity ever since Tom Flanagan, a blacksmith for the Canadian Pacific Railway, first discovered nickel ore in 1883. Today the city, which has been long dubbed the Nickel Centre, has expanded its resource-based economy into other sectors. Known as a research, health and education centre for northeastern Ontario, the city also has a vibrant francophone community and a thriving arts and theatre scene. With more lakes than any other municipality in Canada (more than 300 cover a geographic area of 3,637 kilometres) at hand, Sudbury provides plenty of fun for outdoor enthusiasts. Depending on the time of year, business travelers with some downtime can swim, fish, canoe, snowshoe, skate or cross-country ski.

proximity to one another, each of these hotels features free hot and cold breakfast, a pool and a fitness centre. Two major shopping centres, restaurants and a cinema are nearby. Room rates start at $115/night.

The popular new Tucos Tacos Lounge in the residential Donovan neighbourhood (close to downtown) is vegan.

TIP No public transit is available to and from the Greater Sudbury Airport.

To avoid wait times arrange a pick-up before your arrival, whether you’re travelling via taxi, shuttle service or limousine.

Science North is Sudbury’s most popular tourist destination and the second largest science centre in Canada. Built on an ancient geological fault line that has been inactive for one billion years, the centre features an IMAX Theatre, planetarium, butterfly gallery, hands-on exhibits, live animals, and more for kids and adults alike. In the summer months, climb aboard the William Ramsey Cruise, which is parked outside the science centre, and take a tour of Ramsey Lake.

Experience Sudbury outdoors and get out to one of its many hiking and biking trails (visit rainbowroutes.com for a map). About 10 minutes from downtown is the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area, a real gem with 2,400 acres of protected green space

Courtesy of Michael Bernier

A stay in Sudbury isn’t complete without a visit to the

iconic Big Nickel, a 30-foot replica of a 1951 Canadian fivecent coin located on the grounds of earth sciences museum Dynamic Earth. The museum focuses on the city’s mining heritage and geological history. Guests can descend seven storeys below the surface and go on an underground mine tour.

GETTING

AROUND Car rental companies Avis, Enterprise and National are located in the arrivals area of the terminal building. Sudbury Cab provides taxi and shuttle service at the airport. Taxi fares range from $42 to New Sudbury (25 minutes), $63 to the south end (35 minutes), and $80 to Copper Cliff. Shuttle service is about $15 or so less. Nite Lite Limousine and Mr. Rite Limousine service are also available.

Courtesy of Frank Meier

EXPLORE

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

TIP If you plan on visiting Science North, the IMAX and planetarium, all in one day, get the Play All Day Passport, which includes adult tickets to all three attractions for $35. that is perfect for hiking, jogging, biking or in winter, snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing. Rent a canoe or snowshoes ($20 half day/$40 full day) through the Laurentian University Outdoor Centre. About a 40-minute drive outside Sudbury in Onaping Falls is the A.Y. Jackson Lookout, named after the Group of Seven painter who captured the scenic view of High Falls cascading 180 feet into the Sudbury basin in the painting “Spring on the Onaping River.”

Courtesy of Gregory Gibson

WHERE TO

Lake Laurentian Conservation Area

Dive into the local art and culture scene and visit the Art Gallery of Sudbury, Galerie Du Nouvel Ontario, and Artists on Elgin, all within the downtown area. Theatre goers, try the Sudbury Theatre Centre, Theatre du Nouvel Ontario, or

HOW TO

community venue Theatre Cambrian.

TIP Check if your destination is open before visiting as some businesses in Sudbury are seasonal.

GET HERE

The Greater Sudbury Airport is located about 24 km northeast of the city’s downtown area. Air Canada offers daily flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport, while Porter Airlines offers daily flights from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. Bearskin Airlines flies from Sudbury to centres in northeastern Ontario daily. Charter service is available as well as meeting and conference fares for groups of six or more travelling to the same destination. March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 65

SECTION francophone article de fond 73 Sous haute tension

67 67 68 78

Par Chris Windeyer

Lettre de l’éditeur Mot du président Les actualités en bref Kirkland Lake Gold se remet sur pied Malmenés par la chute des cours de l’or, les exploitants d’une mine du nord de l’Ontario en activité depuis plusieurs décennies mettent l’accent sur la réduction des résidus miniers et l’optimisation des teneurs pour retrouver des bases solides. Par Ian Ewing

83 Congrès de l’ICM 2015 :

Guide préliminaire de l’Expo!

115 Résumés techniques

La version française intégrale du CIM Magazine est disponible en ligne : magazine.CIM.org/fr-CA

Jason Benz Bennee / Shutterstock.com

Les coûts de l’électricité peuvent contribuer à l’échec ou à la réussite de l’économie d’une mine.

lettre de l’éditeur

Mieux vaut tard que jamais

e CIM Magazine, la publication phare de l'Institut canadien des mines, de la métallurgie et du pétrole, et le projet le plus important du département de la communication, des publications et des médias au bureau national, a franchi une étape importante en début d'année. Et nous sommes passés à côté. En jetant un coup d'œil rapide à la reliure du magazine, Andrea Nichiporuk, notre directrice-rédactrice en chef, nous a fait remarquer que nous publions aujourd'hui notre 10e volume. Malheureusement, nous étions trop concentrés sur la publication du premier numéro de l'année pour accorder l'importance qu'il se doit aux noces d'étain du magazine. Il convient de noter que seule Andrea faisait partie de l'équipe des publications lors du lancement du CIM Magazine en 2006. À ce moment-là, la création du magazine était un exemple physique, que l'on pouvait tenir entre nos mains et qui montrait que l'institut centenaire était en pleine évolution. « À l'ICM, nous avons hérité de décennies de pratiques et de culture, dont certaines sont maintenant dépassées », écrivait le directeur exécutif de l'ICM Jean Vavrek dans le premier numéro du magazine. « Nous allons changer le cours des choses. » Ainsi, l'équipe des publications a inauguré le CIM Magazine et suspendu la publication du CIM Bulletin. Lorsque l'équipe a pris le risque d'arrêter de publier ce bulletin d'information fiable qui existait depuis 75 ans pour tenter quelque chose de différent, elle a donné naissance au modèle que nous explorons depuis lors. De mon point de vue, celui d'un technicien travaillant sur cette expérience depuis cinq ans et d'un observateur de l'industrie, il m'appartient de féliciter l'esprit pionnier de Jean, d'Heather Ednie, rédactrice en chef à l'époque, et d'Andrea, assistante à la rédaction à l'époque. Vous avez sans doute remarqué que l'évolution se poursuit dans notre 10e volume du CIM Magazine. Nous proposons désormais davantage d'articles en français dans la version imprimée. La section Actualités comprend maintenant une « liste des projets en cours de réalisation » dans laquelle nous tentons de répertorier les projets en cours, et nous sommes impatients de voir cette liste s'agrandir. Le projet le plus ambitieux de l'année 2015 reste cependant la réorganisation du CIM Magazine en ligne, qui est prévue en cours d'année. Elle consistera à rendre plus agréable la lecture du contenu du magazine, mais surtout réinventera ce que le CIM Magazine représente. Dans l'idéal, elle rendra hommage à l'esprit de la publication telle qu'elle a été lancée il y a dix ans.

Ryan Bergen, Rédacteur en chef editor@cim.org @Ryan_CIM_Mag

mot du president

Poursuivons la discussion à Montréal

la fin du mois de janvier, le comité d’experts indépendant chargé de l’enquête technique a publié son rapport sur la défaillance de la digue à résidus de la mine de Mount Polley. Dans le numéro du 12 février 2015 du Reporter de l’ICM, j’ai publié une note résumant les conclusions du comité et présentant les premières mesures concrètes que prendra l’Institut. L’ICM a l’intention de coordonner ses efforts avec ceux des organismes et des ressources spécialisées pertinentes au sein de l’industrie des minéraux dans le but commun de soutenir et promouvoir les pratiques exemplaires dans la conception, l’exploitation et la surveillance des digues à résidus et des installations de rétention. Peu après la publication de ma note relative à la mine de Mount Polley, l’équipe des communications de l’ICM m’a avisé qu’elle avait attiré beaucoup d’attention, ce qui témoigne du grand intérêt des membres de l’ICM envers cette question. J’invite nos membres à lire le résumé du rapport du comité à mountpolleyreviewpanel.ca. Vous trouverez également un texte sur les conclusions du comité à la page 14. Le Congrès et l’Expo! de l’ICM, qui se tiendra du 10 au 13 mai 2015 à Montréal, approche à grands pas. Pour que cet événement demeure parmi les plus importants congrès miniers au monde, nous comprenons que nous devons y offrir un contenu solide, pertinent et actuel. La conception du programme technique, qui est une composante centrale du congrès, a traditionnellement été sous la supervision d’un président du programme technique bénévole. Ce rôle clé étant devenu de plus en plus difficile et demandant de plus en plus de temps avec les années, l’ICM a récemment créé un poste de coordonnateur du programme technique au sein de son équipe. Janet Sandor fournira un soutien administratif au président bénévole du programme technique, permettant ainsi à celui-ci de se concentrer sur ce qu’il fait de mieux : définir et apporter le meilleur contenu technique au congrès. Je vous encourage à venir à Montréal pour le congrès 2015, qui comprendra, entre autres nombreux sujets, un programme technique axé sur les pratiques exemplaires en matière de gestion des résidus. Inscrivezvous maintenant pour profiter des rabais offerts aux inscriptions hâtives. Montréal est une ville formidable et nous y avons toujours une excellente participation! Je profite également de l’occasion pour dire un très chaleureux au revoir à Serge Major et pour souhaiter la bienvenue à Riccardo DiPerna et à Danielle Langlois au sein de l’équipe du bureau national de l’ICM. M. Major a pris sa retraite en décembre dernier après 19 ans de service à titre de directeur des finances et de l’administration. Sa vaste connaissance de l’Institut, son travail éthique et son irrévérence nous manqueront. Mme Langlois se joint à nous à titre de directrice de l’administration et de la technologie de l’information; M. DiPerna est contrôleur de l’ICM.

Sean Waller Président de l’ICM March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 67

Gracieuseté de Betty-Ann Heggie

Les actualités en bref Une mine de cuivre mexicaine interrompt temporairement ses activités

Betty-Ann Heggie, qui a remporté cette année le prix du pionnier décerné par WIM Canada, était la première femme à occuper le poste de viceprésidente directrice chez PotashCorp ; c’est elle qui a lancé en septembre 2009 le programme Betty-Ann Heggie Womentorship à l’université de la Saskatchewan.

WIM décerne le prix Trailblazer 2015 Betty-Ann Heggie, première femme vice-présidente principale de PotashCorp, est la lauréate du prix Trailblazer de cette année du Women in Mining (WIM) Canada. Mme Heggie, maintenant à la retraite et intronisée au Temple de la renommée des 100 femmes les plus influentes au Canada, recevra officiellement le prix début mai à la Convention des prospecteurs et entrepreneurs à Toronto. « J’ai été profondément touchée », a déclaré Mme Heggie après l’annonce faite par WIM Canada dans les nouvelles en janvier. « J’ai été très honorée qu’ils envisagent ma candidature comme un genre de chef. » Le prix Trailblazer a été établi par WIM en 2013 pour rendre hommage aux « femmes qui ont pris des risques personnels dans leur carrière et qui ont contribué à faire avancer la carrière d’autres femmes », selon l’organisme sans but lucratif. D’après WIM Canada, les femmes représentent seulement 11 % des nomi68 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

nations au sein des conseils d’administration dans le secteur des ressources naturelles et 14 % de toute la main-d’œuvre canadienne dans le secteur minier. Mme Heggie prévoit éliminer cette disparité en favorisant le soutien féminin dans le secteur des entreprises. Elle a initié le programme Betty-Ann Heggie Womentorship à l’Université de la Saskatchewan, qui a été lancé en septembre 2009 et qui consiste à jumeler des professionnelles chevronnées avec de nouvelles diplômées. Les choses ont déjà considérablement changé pour les femmes dans le secteur minier depuis le milieu des années 1990, a souligné Mme Heggie, se rappelant d’une fois où on lui avait demandé de ne pas se rendre dans une mine en Allemagne à cause d’une vieille superstition selon laquelle la présence d’une femme dans une mine présageait d’une catastrophe mortelle. Aujourd’hui, Betty-Ann Heggie est fière de voir les nombreuses femmes ingénieures et gestionnaires qui font partie de WIM Canada : « Je sais simplement que notre situation va s’améliorer et cela me fait chaud au cœur. » – Sahar Fatima

Aura Minerals a annoncé en janvier avoir interrompu ses activités à la mine de cuivre d’Aránzazu, au Mexique, en raison du cours actuel des produits de base. « Bien que cette décision soit difficile et inquiétante, en particulier pour les employés de la mine d’Aránzazu et la collectivité locale, elle permettra de protéger notre situation de trésorerie durant cette période économique incertaine », a déclaré le président et chef de la direction de la société, Jim Bannantine. Le cours du cuivre tournait autour de 2,60 $ US la livre ($/lb) à la mi-février, en baisse par rapport au cours de 3,20 $ US/lb à la même période l’an dernier. Les concentrés de cuivre continueront d’être traités jusqu’à épuisement des réserves, après quoi le personnel restera sur le site minier pour s’assurer que les normes environnementales, sociales, réglementaires et de sécurité sont maintenues durant la suspension des activités. La société examine actuellement les plans de mise en valeur de la mine, les coûts du site et les dépenses en immobilisations, et prévoit publier un nouveau rapport NC 43-101 susceptible d’un concours bancaire au cours du second semestre de 2015. Le rapport mis à jour pourrait inclure des plans d’expansion de la mine de moindre envergure que ceux proposés dans l’évaluation économique préliminaire de 2012. Il aidera également la société à obtenir un financement afin de rouvrir et d’agrandir la mine d’Aránzazu. L’année dernière, la mine d’Aránzazu a produit 14,6 millions de livres de cuivre contenu. Les ressources mesurées et indiquées de la mine se chiffrent à environ 588,7 millions d’onces de

cuivre, à 10,3 millions d’onces d’argent et à 390 000 onces d’or. – Katelyn Spidle

La Colombie-Britannique annonce la création du Major Mines Permitting Office Des autorisations d’exploitation minière plus rapides se profilent en Colombie-Britannique après la promesse faite par la première ministre Christy Clark d’injecter des fonds supplémentaires dans le budget de cette année afin de créer un nouveau bureau qui se consacre à l’octroi de permis d’exploitation minière. L’annonce a été faite lors du rassemblement sur l’exploration minérale (Mineral Exploration Roundup) 2015 de l’Association for Mineral Exploration de la ColombieBritannique qui a eu lieu en janvier. Le porte-parole du ministère de l’Énergie et des Mines, Jake Jacobs, a déclaré que les fonds particuliers destinés au bureau principal de permis d’exploitation minière (Major Mines Permitting Office, MMPO) n’ont pas encore été alloués. Toutefois, le financement de base du ministère sera augmenté de 6 millions de dollars pour passer à 17,1 millions de dollars. Les nouveaux frais d’obtention de permis pour les mines devraient apporter 3 millions supplémentaires. Les sociétés d’exploration ne seront pas facturées. « Jusqu’à 10 nouvelles mines devraient être exploitées au cours des prochaines années, et ces nouveaux fonds viseront à nous assurer que nous sommes prêts à soutenir ces projets et renforceront la sécurité de ce secteur important à mesure qu’il continue de croître », a déclaré Mme Clark dans un communiqué. Le MMPO devrait ouvrir ses portes au printemps une fois que l’assemblée législative de la Colombie-Britannique aura approuvé le budget, qui a été dévoilé en février. D’après M. Jacobs, le bureau visera à améliorer la coordination entre les ministères pour que les décisions concernant les autorisations d’exploitation minière soient prises plus efficacement. Des spé-

Gracieuseté de de la province de C.-B.

les actualités en bref

À l’occasion de la conférence Roundup 2015 (Tour d’horizon 2015) de l’AME BC, Christy Clark a annoncé le financement d’un nouveau bureau de délivrance des permis d’exploitation des grandes mines, lequel sera chargé de coordonner les décisions prises par les divers ministères pour renforcer l’efficacité de l’autorisation accordée pour exploiter une mine.

une simple demande de permis et 125 000 $ pour une demande complexe exigeant l’intervention d’un CEM. Karina Briño, présidente et chef de la direction de la Mining Association of British Columbia, a accueilli favorablement cette annonce. Elle a indiqué que naviguer dans le système gouvernemental peut s’avérer difficile pour les sociétés minières qui cherchent à obtenir de nouveaux permis, car elles doivent souvent obtenir l’autorisation de plusieurs ministères différents. « Quatre ou cinq agences pourraient intervenir dans la prise de décision », a déclaré Mme Briño. « Offrir un système à guichet unique permettrait de fournir des précisions sur la façon de naviguer dans ce processus. » – S.F.

cialistes techniques des ministères pertinents continueront d’examiner les nouveaux projets miniers, mais les fonds additionnels permettront au ministre de l’Énergie et des Mines d’embaucher d’autres spécialistes techniques afin d’étudier les demandes, réduisant ainsi le délai d’attente. Le bureau de l’inspecteur en chef des mines demeurera responsable des inspections. « Le bureau de direction du MMPO supervisera la gestion des ressources, des priorités et des enjeux d’une façon qui répond le mieux aux besoins particuliers du secteur minier », a souligné M. Jacobs. « Le MMPO comprendra des gestionnaires et des directeurs de projet possédant une connaissance approfondie du secteur minier. » Le nouveau bureau se concentrera sur les « principales mines », que le ministère définit comme des projets qui favorisent le processus d’évaluation environnementale (ÉE). Toute proposition exigeant la création d’un Comité d’examen minier (CEM) – un comité consultatif composé des trois niveaux de gouvernement et des Premières Nations – est également considérée comme un projet majeur, a souligné M. Jacobs. Les nouveaux frais d’obtention de permis iront de 4 000 $ à 32 000 $ pour l’exploitation des placers, des gravières et des carrières. Les frais d’exploitation des mines de minerais et de charbon varieront entre 10 000 $ pour

Le gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest crée un conseil minier Le secteur minier des Territoires du Nord-Ouest ralliera des partisans officiels au printemps. Lors du rassemblement sur l’exploration minérale (Mineral Exploration Roundup) de l’Association for Mineral Exploration de la Colombie-Britannique qui a eu lieu en janvier, le ministre de l’Industrie, du Tourisme et de l’Investissement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (T.-N.-O), David Ramsay, a annoncé la création d’un conseil consultatif de l’industrie minière (Mining Industry Advisory Board) afin d’attirer des explorateurs, des investisseurs et des sociétés minières dans la région. D’après M. Ramsay, le conseil sera composé de cinq à sept membres. Bien qu’il n’ait rien dit sur l’identité des personnes qui siégeront au conseil, il a néanmoins précisé qu’il sera composé « d’intérêts diversifiés » allant de chefs de la direction de sociétés minières à des intervenants locaux en passant par des Premières Nations. « Je sais ce que je recherche », a-t-il déclaré. « J’ai déjà quelques personnes en tête avec qui je communiquerai sous peu. » En 2014, le territoire a connu une hausse de 32 % des dépenses March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 69

Gracieuseté de la Société canadienne du traitement des minerais

À l’occasion de la conférence de la Société canadienne du traitement des minerais (CMP) qui s’est tenue en janvier à Ottawa, Jean Vavrek, directeur exécutif de l’ICM (au centre), a signé un protocole d’entente avec Kevin Fraser, directeur de la technologie des autoclaves chez Hatch (à gauche), et Fern Proulx, directeur général des opérations à la Société des musées de sciences et technologies du Canada (à droite), marquant ainsi le lancement du projet « Échos » consacré à l’histoire de la métallurgie et des mines.

pourront être visionnées sur son site Web. « Les secteurs de la métallurgie et des mines sont les fondations sur lesquelles l’industrie et la société canadiennes ont été bâties », a déclaré Sam Marcuson, président du volet historique de la métallurgie, MetSoc. Le projet, a-til ajouté, « profitera tant aux visiteurs du musée, environ 300 000 par année,

qu’aux utilisateurs du site Web – environ 3,5 millions de visites par année. » Hatch, l’ICM, MetSoc et la Société canadienne du traitement des minerais ont versé 100 000 $ du budget total, en plus de dons privés s’élevant à 12 000 $. Les promoteurs du projet espèrent amasser 8 000 $ pour le mettre en marche. – Peter Braul Gracieuseté de Veolia

d’exploration et d’évaluation des gisements, s’élevant à 103 M$. L’exploration et la mise en valeur des gisements diamantifères ont représenté près des deux tiers de ces dépenses, d’après Ressources naturelles Canada. Le conseil sera chargé de maintenir cet élan. « Nous [avons besoin] d’un climat propice à l’investissement, ayant la réputation d’être une région minière digne de confiance », a-t-il souligné, ajoutant que cela suppose d’adopter une « approche équilibrée favorisant un développement responsable et durable. » L’objectif du conseil, selon M. Ramsay, est de créer des lois afin de continuer à miser sur les objectifs de la stratégie d’exploitation minérale de 2013 des T.-N.-O. « Les résultats et les progrès obtenus jusqu’à présent sont encourageants, mais nous avons impérativement besoin de nous assurer de faire passer les bons messages en tant que territoire », a déclaré M. Ramsay. Le groupe consultatif tiendra sa première assemblée en mai. – Andrew Seale

Léguer un héritage La Société de la métallurgie et des matériaux (MetSoc) de l’ICM et la Société des musées de sciences et technologie du Canada ont lancé en février un nouveau plan pour démontrer l’importance de la métallurgie dans le développement du Canada. Les deux organismes consacrent 120 000 $ au profit du Projet « Échos » sur l’histoire de la métallurgie et des mines au Canada, qui comprend la création d’une banque de vidéos sur l’histoire orale incluant des entrevues avec des chefs de file des secteurs de l’exploration, de l’exploitation minière, de la métallurgie et des matériaux. Les fonds seront également consacrés à la recherche sur la contribution de la métallurgie au progrès du Canada, laquelle aidera le Musée des sciences et de la technologie du Canada à rassembler une collection d’artefacts intéressants du secteur de la métallurgie. Les entrevues seront finalement archivées au musée à Ottawa et 70 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Grand projet Au cours de l’une des plus grandes expéditions jamais entreprises dans la province de la Saskatchewan, y compris un équipement de 10 mètres de diamètre et pesant 180 tonnes, Veolia Water Technologies a annoncé en février qu’elle avait livré sa technologie de cristallisation HPD (ci-dessus) à K+S Potash Canada pour son projet Legacy afin de purifier et de produire plus de deux millions de tonnes de chlorure de potassium par année à partir de potasse extraite par dissolution.

les actualités en bref Goldcorp fait l’acquisition de Probe Mines Goldcorp, géant du secteur minier établi à Vancouver, poursuit son expansion. La société a conclu une entente finale le 27 janvier en vue d’acquérir Probe Mines, petite société minière établie à Toronto. Grâce à cette prise de contrôle amicale, Goldcorp détient maintenant la concession du projet aurifère Borden dans le nord de l’Ontario. À la fin du printemps dernier, Probe a publié une estimation des ressources minérales à jour relativement au projet qui comprenait

une ressource indiquée souterraine de 1,60 million d’onces d’or à 5,39 g d’or par tonne en moyenne ainsi qu’une ressource présumée de 0,43 million d’onces à 4,43 g d’or par tonne en moyenne à une teneur de coupure de 2,5 g par tonne. La découverte de Borden faite en 2010 et les travaux subséquents menés sur le projet ont permis au président et chef de la direction de Probe, David Palmer, de remporter le prix Bill Dennis 2015 de l’Association canadienne des prospecteurs et entrepreneurs, lequel récompense une découverte de ressources minérales ou une prospection réussie au Canada.

Selon un communiqué publié le 19 janvier, M. Palmer est convaincu que l’expertise financière et technique de Goldcorp contribuera à faire progresser le projet aurifère Borden. « Cette acquisition représente non seulement une validation pour le projet et sa valeur, mais également l’occasion pour les actionnaires de participer au succès futur avec l’un des producteurs aurifères les plus respectés du secteur, Goldcorp, ainsi qu’avec une équipe de prospecteurs expérimentés et dévoués au sein de New Probe », a déclaré M. Palmer. « Nous sommes reconnaissants envers nos actionnaires pour leur

Keith Houghton Photography

Salle comble à la cérémonie d’intronisation au Temple de la renommée du secteur minier

Ian Telfer, Peter Bradshaw, Ron Netolitzky et Mackenzie Watson (de gauche à droite) ont été intronisés au Temple de la renommée du secteur minier canadien en janvier.

Quatre personnalités marquantes du secteur minier ont fait leur entrée au Temple de la renommée du secteur minier canadien (TRSMC) à l’occasion de la 27e édition du dîner et de la cérémonie d’intronisation annuelle du TRSMC, qui a eu lieu en janvier à l’hôtel Fairmont Royal York de Toronto. Plus de 800 personnes ont participé à cet événement annuel. Comme

c’est le cas depuis des années, tous les billets ont trouvé preneur, souligne Jean Vavrek, directeur exécutif de l’ICM. « C’est le plus important événement qui se déroule chaque année dans le secteur minier », explique-t-il. Pierre Lassonde, président du conseil d’administration de FrancoNevada et lui-même intronisé au TRSMC, a été le maître de cérémonie

de la soirée. C’était la quatorzième fois qu’il jouait ce rôle. Peter M.D. Bradshaw, Ronald K. Netolitzky, Mackenzie Iles Watson et Ian Telfer ont été honorés pour leurs réalisations, lesquelles ont été présentées dans des vidéos individuelles comprenant des témoignages de collègues. Chaque personne intronisée a prononcé un discours de quatre minutes en allant chercher son prix. « J’aimerais que mon ancien directeur d’école soit ici ce soir », a lancé M. Bradshaw. « Il n’aurait jamais cru que j’aboutirais ici! » M. Vavrek a expliqué que si la cérémonie se déroule au Royal York, ce n’est pas pour rien : l’hôtel a été construit par le Chemin de fer Canadien Pacifique, entreprise qui a contribué de nombreuses façons à l’essor du secteur minier. La cérémonie d’intronisation 2015 s’est déroulée grâce à l’appui de Goldcorp, commanditaire diamant, ainsi que de Barrick, Franco-Nevada, IBK Capital Corp., SNC-Lavalin et Yamana Gold, commanditaires platines. – K.S.

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 71

appui et leur fidélité et nous nous réjouissons d’entreprendre la prochaine phase ensemble. » Les actionnaires de Probe recevront une participation dans une nouvelle société d’exploration appelée New Probe. Cette nouvelle société, qui sera formée en partenariat avec Goldcorp, conservera l’actuel chef de la direction, l’actuel conseil d’administration et l’actuelle équipe de gestion de Probe. Les actionnaires de Probe devraient se réunir pour

approuver l’opération avant la fin du pre– K.S. mier trimestre de 2015.

Les faits en main L’industrie minière a reçu son rapport annuel. En février, l’Association minière du Canada (AMC) a publié son rapport Faits et chiffres de l’industrie minière 2014, fondé sur les données de 2013 fournies par le gouvernement fédéral.

Un juste équilibre entre le travail et la détente à la Conférence annuelle des Minérallurgistes du Canada 2015 En janvier, l’hôtel Westin d’Ottawa grouillait d’activité à l’occasion de la Conférence annuelle des Minérallurgistes du Canada. Plus de 520 délégués originaires de 13 pays réunissaient les meilleurs experts du secteur du traitement du minerai de l’industrie minière. Mais cet événement qui s’est déroulé sur trois jours a également fourni d’excellentes occasions de réseautage. Les étudiants représentaient une partie importante des participants et en ont profité pour développer un réseau de contacts intéressants dans le secteur et absorber des connaissances. « Je n’étais pas sûre de vouloir me diriger vers le traitement du minerai, mais cette conférence m’a permis de réaliser que c’est vraiment ce que je veux faire avec mon diplôme », a expliqué Sharayah Read, étudiante en génie chimique à Cambrian College, à Sudbury. Qu’il s’agisse d’étudiants ou d’autres participants, il n’y avait pas uniquement des connaissances à acquérir. Les participants qui œuvrent dans le domaine du traitement du minerai sont particulièrement doués pour équilibrer le travail avec la détente, et ils ont prouvé qu’ils en étaient capables en organisant le premier concours d’autoportraits du congrès, lancé durant le gala de remise des prix. Vous pouvez consulter le nom des lauréats en 72 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

cherchant #cmp2015 sur Instagram, et vous pourrez constater que les délégués ont fait un travail formidable pour cacher ce qu’ils buvaient. Le programme technique intensif de trois jours comprenait également un match de hockey avec l’équipe West contre l’équipe East, du patinage sur le canal Rideau tôt le matin par – 20°C (un seul participant courageux) ainsi que d’autres bonnes occasions de dépenser de l’énergie. Pour obtenir un exemplaire des travaux du congrès, veuillez communiquer avec Janice Zinck à janice.zinck@NRCan– P.B. RNCan.gc.ca. • Prix • MINÉRALLURGISTE DE L’ANNÉE : Robert Rotzinger PRIX D’EXCELLENCE POUR L’ENSEMBLE DE SES RÉALISATIONS : René Del Villar PRIX DU BÉNÉVOLAT RAY MACDONALD : Raymond MacDonald ANCIEN PRÉSIDENT : Pierre Julien MEILLEURE PRÉSENTATION : Rodrigo Araya PRIX DU CONCOURS DES RAPPORTS TECHNIQUES DES ÉTUDIANTS : Kristie Peloquin, Graham Cross BOURSE D’ÉTUDES COMMÉMORATIVE ANDRÉ LAPLANTE : Michele Tuchscherer BOURSE D’ÉTUDES COMMÉMORATIVE : William Yin CONFRÉRIE DE L’ICM : Donald Leroux, Ian Orford

Au cours de la dernière décennie, le Canada a été la principale destination au chapitre de l’exploration. Toutefois, les investissements dans ce domaine ont chuté de 41 % pour s’établir à 2,3 G$ en 2013, faisant passer le Canada à la deuxième place après l’Australie. Le rapport révèle que la récente baisse des cours mondiaux des produits de base, le manque d’infrastructures dans le Nord, et un processus réglementaire compliqué sont à l’origine du déclin observé l’an dernier. Heureusement, les conclusions de l’AMC indiquent également que l’industrie est essentielle à l’économie canadienne en termes de contributions au PIB national et de possibilités d’emploi. « Pour s’adapter à la faiblesse des prix de certains produits de base, et pour composer avec les coûts d’exploitation élevés et une économie mondiale encore incertaine, il est plus important que jamais que le gouvernement reste concentré sur l’élargissement du réseau commercial canadien et sur l’amélioration de la compétitivité globale du pays à titre de destination pour l’élaboration de nouveaux projets miniers au moyen d’investissements stratégiques et de politiques efficaces », a déclaré le président et chef de la direction de l’AMC, Pierre Gratton.

54 G$

Contribution de l’industrie minière au PIB du Canada

380 000

Nombre de Canadiens travaillant dans l’industrie minière

68 000 3 400

Nombre d’emplois miniers en Ontario seulement Nombre d’entreprises canadiennes fournissant des biens et des services à l’industrie minière

41 %

Pourcentage représentant la baisse des investissements en exploration au Canada

Plus importante destination sur le plan des dépenses d’exploration à l’échelle mondiale

19,6 %

Pourcentage des exportations canadiennes totales de l’industrie minière*

* Tous les chiffres datent de 2013

– K.S.

SOUS HAUTE TENSION Les sociétés minières doivent jongler avec la variabilité des prix et une vaste gamme d'options pour se procurer l'électricité nécessaire à la poursuite de leurs activités Par Chris Windeyer

Photos gracieuseté de NASA

Le prix de l'électricité constitue généralement le second facteur de coût le plus lourd qui incombe aux sociétés minières. Seuls les coûts de main-d'œuvre sont plus élevés. Selon les données de Ressources naturelles Canada, sur le territoire canadien seulement, les dépenses énergétiques des sociétés minières (si l'on exclut celles exploitant des mines de charbon) s'élevaient à 2,4 milliards $ en 2012, dépenses qui se chiffraient à 2,2 milliards $ en 2011 en comptant les sociétés exploitant le charbon. « Si vous vous trouvez dans le nord du Québec et avez accès au réseau hydroélectrique, rien ne battra les tarifs proposés par Hydro-Québec », indique Steve Letwin, président et chef de la direction de la société Iamgold basée à Toronto, laquelle est propriétaire de mines au Québec, au Suriname, au Mali et au Burkina Faso. M. Letwin indique que le coût de l'électricité au Québec est de 0,035 $/kilowattheure (kWh), alors qu'en Afrique, où les mines ne sont pas raccordées au réseau électrique, Iamgold dépend du diesel et du mazout lourd dont le coût peut atteindre les 0,3 $/kWh. La baisse récente du prix du pétrole a fait chuter les coûts de l'énergie hors réseau à environ 0,21 $/kWh, ce qui, selon M. Letwin, se traduit par une économie des coûts décaissés de l'ordre de 200 $ par once. À la mine Essakane d'Iamgold, dans le nord-est du Burkina Faso, les coûts d'exploitation s'élèvent actuellement à quelque 1 000 $ par once. D'après M. Letwin, si l'on diminuait de moitié le coût de l'électricité de la mine, les coûts décaissés par once seraient ramenés à environ 800 $, ce qui aurait à peu près le même impact que d'extraire un minerai dont la teneur est deux fois plus élevée. « Nous produisons 400 000 onces, aussi cela équivaut à un flux de trésorerie de 80 millions $ », indique-t-il. « C'est un calcul approximatif, mais qui vous montre bien la corrélation entre ces variables. L'électricité a une incidence énorme sur l'économie d'une mine. » Personne ne sait si M. Letwin et les autres dirigeants de sociétés minières verront un jour un changement et auront 74 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

accès à des réseaux électriques fiables, ni à quel moment. « L'expansion des infrastructures de transport de l'électricité dans les pays en développement dépend principalement de la volonté de soutenir la croissance économique et de l'instauration de conditions favorables à l'investissement dans des domaines et industries stratégiques ; cependant, le moment idéal et les moteurs de ces changements varieront », explique Georges Arbache, vice-président du cabinet KPMG d'infrastructures

mondiales de Toronto. « Un grand nombre de grosses sociétés chinoises ont, par exemple, réalisé des investissements importants en Afrique, et il se peut que pour soutenir leurs activités, elles doivent envisager une entreprise commune avec des entreprises locales de distribution de l'électricité du pays confrontées à des difficultés financières afin de stabiliser l'alimentation électrique et les infrastructures de transport de l'électricité dont elles ont besoin pour bien fonctionner. »

Lorsque l'on envisage un projet, au moment des évaluations préliminaires, il est important de trouver un juste équilibre en ce qui concerne le prix de l'électricité, en tenant compte de facteurs tels que les risques politiques, la géologie et le coût de la main-d'œuvre, explique John Mullally, directeur des affaires générales de la société Goldcorp basée à Vancouver. Il cite l'exemple de l'Ontario, où les risques politiques sont faibles et se présentent surtout sous la forme de lourdes normes réglementaires, de retards dans l'octroi des permis ainsi que de coûts relativement élevés de la main-d'œuvre et de l'électricité par rapport aux normes nord-américaines, coûts qui devraient encore augmenter. « Nous sommes disposés à assumer les coûts dans les pays où ils sont plus élevés », indique-t-il. Goldcorp dirige quatre mines en exploitation au Canada, dont trois sont situées en Ontario et requièrent un total de 70 mégawatts (MW) pour fonctionner. On ne dispose pas encore des chiffres pour la nouvelle mine Éléonore au Québec, qui a coulé son premier lingot d'or en octobre dernier. Globalement, toutes les mines de Goldcorp sont raccordées au réseau, sauf la mine à ciel ouvert Peñasquito, au Mexique, qui fonctionne au diesel. Le Mexique est l'une des régions où les infrastructures électriques, de même que les règlements qui les régissent, évoluent rapidement, souligne M. Arbache. « Le Mexique a récemment annoncé son intention de mener d'importantes réformes touchant l'intégralité de son secteur de l'énergie, car il est aux prises avec un énorme déficit au niveau, entre autres facteurs, de l'offre en matière de production d'électricité. Pour les sociétés minières, […] il sera bien plus simple d'obtenir un accès à des sources d'énergie de substitution et renouvelables qui offrent une électricité de meilleure qualité. Le prix de l'électricité devrait considérablement augmenter au Mexique au cours des 20 prochaines années en raison de la nécessité d'investir dans le raccordement au réseau électrique et dans l'offre en matière de production d'électricité, aussi les énergies renouvelables

Entre 2006 et 2011, les prix de l'électricité pour les industriels ont varié de 290 % dans sept pays de l'OCDE dont le secteur minier est important.

US$/MWh

180

160

140

120

100

0 2006

2007

États-Unis Mexique

2008

2009

2010

2011

Canada* Finlande** Pologne Turquie Chili

*Données non disponibles pour 2011 **Données non disponibles pour 2006

Source: OCDE

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 75

offrent essentiellement une protection contre les hausses de tarifs. » Les réformes envisagées par le Mexique devraient entrer en vigueur d'ici la fin de l'année ou au début de l'année prochaine, aussi des combinaisons plus attrayantes entre l'électricité du réseau et celle provenant de sources renouvelables devraient bientôt être offertes aux sociétés minières qui ont l'intention d'ouvrir leurs portes.

Des questions entre les mains des sociétés minières

Goldcorp a encore recours au diesel comme carburant d'appoint dans toutes ses mines, mais M. Mullally explique qu'elle essaie de réduire sa consommation. Le tarif de l'électricité à des fins industrielles en Ontario a beau se maintenir à 0,09 $/kWh, cela revient toujours moins cher que le diesel. De plus en plus, explique M. Mullally, Goldcorp a recours au gaz naturel pour chauffer ses bâtiments. « Le prix y est certainement pour quelque chose, de même que l'offre. Il y a eu un afflux énorme [de gaz] dans la province. » C'est aussi la raison pour laquelle « on a beaucoup investi dans la conservation et la gestion de la demande », déclare M. Mullally. « Il est toujours plus facile de conserver l'énergie et de réduire notre empreinte énergétique. » Ainsi, nous avons adopté des techniques telles que le fonctionnement discontinu du broyeur au lieu de le laisser constamment en marche, le fonctionnement intermittent des concasseurs, et l'utilisation de capteurs pour gérer l'aérage de la mine. « L'aérage contribue en grande partie aux coûts énergétiques d'une mine ; essentiellement, il consiste à envoyer de l'air vers le fond de la mine et à le faire circuler pour maintenir les taux de particules et d'émissions relativement bas. » Cependant, le fait d'être relié au réseau ne garantit pas l'accès à une alimentation électrique stable, souligne George Davies, conseiller principal chez Hatch et ancien sous-ministre à l'énergie en Ontario. Selon lui, les améliorations continues apportées au réseau dans le nord de la Saskatchewan constituent une réponse aux problèmes de fiabilité qui touchent les mines d'uranium de la région, lesquelles connaissent plusieurs pannes chaque année. Ces pannes impliquent de recourir à une source d'alimentation de secours et augmentent les coûts. Dans de nombreux pays en développement, le raccordement au réseau est tout simplement trop risqué. Selon G. Davies, Barrick a autrefois refusé l'offre de la Tanzanie consistant à partager les frais de raccordement des sociétés minières au réseau du fournisseur national d'électricité car la société n'avait pas confiance en la fiabilité du réseau. « La société a dû choisir entre un arrangement avec le gouvernement pour que le réseau soit étendu jusqu'à sa mine ou l'investissement dans son propre mode d'alimentation électrique », explique M. Davies. « C'est une situation classique dans de nombreux pays en développement. Le manque de confiance dans la qualité de la gestion des services publics est tel que pour des raisons de sécurité, la société minière doit prendre la décision d'investir dans sa propre infrastructure de production d'électricité, ce qui engendre une hausse considérable des coûts. » 76 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

« Le service d'électricité d'avenir » Les sociétés minières non raccordées au réseau électrique envisagent progressivement l'adoption des énergies renouvelables pour lutter contre le coût de l'électricité, mais les mines raccordées au réseau peuvent aussi y avoir recours. Selon G. Arbache de KPMG, un système qui parvient à incorporer une variété de sources d'énergie potentielles est ce que son entreprise qualifie de « service d'électricité d'avenir. » Une étude réalisée en 2014 par l'Agence internationale pour les énergies renouvelables a révélé que le coût moyen actualisé de l'énergie solaire photovoltaïque a chuté de moitié entre 2010 et 2014, bien qu'il varie encore grandement entre 0,07 $ et 0,40 $/kWh. Le coût de l'énergie éolienne terrestre fait maintenant concurrence à celui de la production de combustibles fossiles, et est parfois même moins élevé. Cependant, le rapport indique aussi que « les facteurs de coûts et de capacité à l'installation pour l'énergie renouvelable dépendent énormément de la technologie et du site ». On sait par exemple que les ressources éoliennes sont capricieuses en fonction du lieu où elles sont installées, et que les coûts peuvent varier considérablement de moins de 0,03 $/kWh à plus de 0,30 $/kWh. D'après M. Letwin d'Iamgold, c'est le coût de l'énergie qui a poussé sa société à installer des panneaux solaires d'une capacité de 5 MW sur le site de sa mine Rosebel au Suriname, même si, d'après la Banque interaméricaine de développement, les tarifs du réseau électrique du Suriname sont relativement bas, à savoir de l'ordre de 0,05 $/kWh. Cependant, les frais d'électricité pour des industriels tels que la société Iamgold sont régis par une série de contrats d'achat d'électricité qui, dans le cas de la mine Rosebel, avoisinent les 0,14 $/kWh. La centrale solaire d'Iamgold, inaugurée en août l'année dernière, produit actuellement 1,1 MW d'énergie, et l'électricité inutilisée par la mine sert à alimenter le réseau national du Suriname. Pour un coût d'investissement de 11 millions $, les panneaux solaires devraient permettre à Iamgold d'économiser environ 1 million $ par an.

On ne peut pas déplacer une mine. Le gisement ne changera pas de place. – Brendan Marshall

D'après John Mathews, professeur à la MacQuarrie Graduate School of Management de Sydney, en Australie, et auteur de l'ouvrage The Greening of Capitalism, les sociétés minières n'adoptant pas les énergies renouvelables, dont les coûts baissent rapidement, risquent de se retrouver à la traîne. Il cite en exemple la Chine et le Chili. Comme l'écrivait M. Mathews dans Energy Post, un site Internet et bulletin d'information indépendant orienté sur l'énergie, le Chili a des projets d'énergie renouvelable envisagés ou en cours de réalisation équivalant à plus de 18 000 MW, ce qui permettra au pays de doubler, voire plus, sa production d'électricité totale actuelle. Une centrale solaire de 110 MW équipée d'un système de stockage à sels fondus pour

$ US/MWh

160

Depuis 2000, le prix de l'électricité pour les industriels a augmenté dans tous les pays de l'OCDE. Voici une comparaison des prix dans sept pays au secteur minier important.

140 2000

120

2010

100 80 60 40

0 Canada

États-Unis

Finlande

Mexique

fournir une électricité constante, ainsi qu'un parc éolien de 115 MW sont en cours de réalisation pour alimenter des projets de mines de cuivre dans le complexe Antofagasta au nord du Chili. Selon un rapport établi par KPMG en 2014, ce sont les prix de l'électricité au Chili, depuis toujours élevés par rapport à ses voisins (environ 0,25 $ US/kWh,) qui l'ont poussé dans cette voie. Le secteur minier est le plus important consommateur d'énergie du Chili, et il engloutit 85 % de l'électricité produite dans le nord du pays, principalement à partir du gaz naturel. Selon M. Mathews, le Chili a bénéficié des efforts considérables déployés par la Chine pour développer l'énergie renouvelable. Pour cette dernière, il s'agissait initialement d'un moyen de lutter contre sa situation catastrophique en matière de pollution atmosphérique, mais cela a, à terme, eu pour effet de faire baisser les coûts unitaires partout. Le Chili a simplement tiré parti de cet avantage, certains prix ayant atteint un niveau aussi bas que 0,08 $ US/kWh. « L'exemple du Chili est clair pour tout le monde », déclare M. Mathews. « Le frein à l'adoption des sources d'énergie renouvelables dans l'industrie minière résulte d'un conservatisme technique et d'un manque d'imagination quant à l'utilisation d'une source d'énergie de substitution aux combustibles fossiles classiques. »

Le pétrole bon marché reste une solution attrayante

M. Letwin affirme toutefois que ce n'est pas le « conservatisme technique » qui met un frein au déploiement des énergies renouvelables, mais plutôt le simple calcul lié aux prix du pétrole. « Quand le prix du baril de pétrole dépasse les

Pologne

Chili

Turquie

100 $ US, on commence à se tourner vers d'autres sources d'énergie comme le solaire et à réaliser qu'il pourrait être sensé d'effectuer d'importants investissements en capitaux dans cette solution si la durée de vie de la mine est assez longue pour la soutenir », indique-t-il. « Pour que l'énergie solaire soit rentable, la mine doit avoir une durée de vie de 20 ans, lorsque le prix du baril est de 100 $ US. S'il est de 50 $ US, la durée de vie de la mine devra être plus longue afin que l'on puisse récupérer son argent. Les calculs deviennent beaucoup plus complexes. » Selon Brendan Marshall, directeur des affaires économiques à l'Association minière du Canada (AMC), l'une des difficultés pour les sociétés minières en activité au Canada réside dans l'emplacement du gisement par rapport aux sources d'énergie renouvelables accessibles. « On ne peut pas déplacer une mine », explique-t-il. « Le gisement ne changera pas de place. La baisse des coûts de la technologie est très utile, mais il faut bien faire la différence entre la concurrence au niveau des prix des technologies et leur déploiement pour les besoins de l'exploitation minière. » Même si votre mine est située dans une région ensoleillée ou ventée, il ne faut pas oublier les nuits, les journées nuageuses et celles sans vent. Cela signifie que vous aurez toujours besoin de diesel, de mazout lourd ou de gaz naturel comme source d'énergie de secours. Pour l'instant, le stockage sur place d'un grand volume d'énergie renouvelable est beaucoup trop complexe et onéreux. En avril 2014, le New York Times indiquait que le stockage de 1 kWh dans une batterie classique pourrait coûter des centaines de dollars. Cependant, explique M. Letwin, la personne qui parviendra à résoudre le problème du stockage aura entre les mains une technologie révolutionnaire comparable à celle du moteur à combustion interne. « Croyez-moi, ce sera un véritable bouleversement à l'échelle mondiale. » ICM March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 77

Source: OCDE

Katelyn Malo

Les filons étroits à teneur élevée du complexe minier Macassa sont exploités depuis 1993. Aujourd'hui, la qualité du minerai importe plus que sa quantité.

Kirkland Lake Gold se remet sur pied Malmenés par la chute des cours de l’or, les exploitants d’une mine du nord de l’Ontario en activité depuis plusieurs décennies mettent l’accent sur la réduction des résidus miniers et l’optimisation des teneurs pour retrouver des bases solides. Par Ian Ewing

es fluctuations brusques du cours de l’or ont affecté toutes les sociétés aurifères. Quand les prix ont dépassé 1 800 $ US l’once, il y a à peine deux ans et demi, beaucoup de sociétés ont multiplié les investissements pour développer leurs activités et profiter de cette hausse historique. Mais quand les cours ont ensuite plongé jusqu’à leurs niveaux plus récents – sous les 1 300 $ US l’once – bon nombre de ces mêmes sociétés ont découvert que l’expansion récente de leurs activités n’était plus rentable. Kirkland Lake Gold est une de ces sociétés. Le redressement qu’elle a réalisé au cours de la dernière année est un cas d’école sur la réévaluation des hypothèses de base d’une analyse de rentabilité et sur la réussite de l’implantation d’un changement profond de culture sur le terrain. Pendant le boom du cours de l’or, Kirkland Lake a réuni près de 100 millions $ pour les investir dans les infrastructures de sa mine Macassa et de son complexe South Mine

78 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

à Kirkland Lake, en Ontario. Un système de treuils modernisés, de nouveaux équipements mobiles souterrains à batterie et un broyeur principal remis à neuf comprenant un nouveau broyeur à boulets de 4,5 m sur 6 m (15 pi sur 20 pi), en plus des trois broyeurs Allis Chalmers existants, ont aidé à faire grimper la capacité de 1 400 à 2 200 tonnes anglaises par jour, à un taux de récupération de 96 %. Le but visé était de produire 200 000 onces par an. L’effectif a augmenté en même temps, atteignant 1 250 travailleurs fin 2013, comparativement à 200 employés il y a cinq ans. Comme beaucoup d’autres sociétés minières le faisaient alors, Kirkland Lake se préparait à traiter des tonnes de minerai. « Il y a deux ou trois ans, Kirkland Lake avait une capitalisation boursière de 1,5 milliard $ », rappelle l’actuel chef de la direction, George Ogilvie. Comme bon nombre de sociétés aurifères, Kirkland Lake a tiré parti du cours élevé de l’or pour abaisser sa teneur de coupure.

MACASSA ET SOUTH MINE

La société s’est mise à exploiter des gisements plus marginaux, à l’extérieur des filons à teneur élevée qui caractérisent le corps aurifère de Macassa. Puis le cours de l’or a commencé à plonger. « Du coup, le traitement à la tonne anglaise au détriment de la teneur n’allait plus être rentable à partir du moment où le cours de l’once d’or est descendu sous la barre des 1 500 à 1 600 $ US », explique M. Ogilvie. Cependant, comme Kirkland Lake a investi massivement pour augmenter sa capacité, elle a tenté de maintenir le cap. La société a aggravé ses problèmes croissants en se fixant des objectifs commerciaux qu’elle était incapable d’atteindre. « Elle faisait de belles promesses sans livrer la marchandise, ce qui a aussi eu une incidence sur le cours de l’action », poursuit M. Ogilvie. En plus de la baisse de prix de la matière première, la société a vu sa capitalisation boursière s’effondrer jusqu’à un plancher de 150 millions $ il y a un an, suscitant des changements majeurs à la mine. M. Ogilvie a été placé aux commandes en novembre 2013 par Harry Dobson, alors président du conseil de Kirkland Lake. M. Dobson venait de Rambler Metals, à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, où il était également président du conseil. M. Ogilvie a obtenu la confiance de M. Dobson à la fois grâce à son expérience dans les mines d’or ultra-profondes d’Afrique du Sud – un environnement technique semblable à celui de Macassa – et à sa capacité à faire passer Rambler au stade de la production au milieu de la crise financière mondiale, au cours d’une période particulièrement difficile pour l’industrie minière. « Quand j’ai accepté ce poste, je m’étais déjà fait à l’idée que pour rendre la mine et la société rentables, nous devions essayer de nouveau de rapprocher nos activités d’extraction de la teneur de réserve », se souvient M. Ogilvie. « C’est cela, l’aspect qui distingue Kirkland Lake d’à peu près 99 % des autres mines d’or du monde : la teneur de réserve. Quelle que soit la tendance du cours de l’or, un principe fondamental de nos activités est d’extraire constamment du minerai à la teneur de réserve ou près de celle-ci. » En fait, pendant les années 1990, quand la mine appartenait à Barrick, puis à Kinross, elle produisait régulièrement plus de 18 grammes par tonne anglaise. Selon ses dires, M. Ogilvie croyait qu’un retour à cette philosophie pourrait être la planche de salut de cette exploitation à la dérive. En extrayant du minerai à la teneur de réserve actuelle (alors estimée à 17 grammes par tonne anglaise), la société devrait avoir la capacité de demeurer rentable même dans un contexte rendu difficile par le cours de l’or. Dans l’éventualité d’une forte remontée des prix, la société serait en mesure de produire une marge nettement plus élevée et de générer un flux de trésorerie disponible très rapidement. Toutefois, changer les façons de faire dans l’ensemble de la société ne serait pas facile. « Comment fait-on pour transformer une culture axée sur le tonnage et la quantité et pour amener les gens à se soucier plutôt de la teneur et de la qualité ? », s’est demandé M. Ogilvie.

| profil de projet

COMMENT RENFLOUER UN NAVIRE EN TRAIN DE COULER Les inquiétudes de M. Ogilvie concernant le niveau de soutien qu’il recevrait de la haute direction, la même que sous le régime précédent, se sont rapidement dissipées. L’équipe était déterminée à apporter des changements. En fait, les dirigeants avaient formulé de nombreuses recommandations identiques à celles que M. Ogilvie allait mettre en œuvre par la suite. Parmi ces changements, la priorité absolue était de relever la teneur de tête, ce qui signifiait qu’il fallait réduire la dilution externe. Quand George Ogilvie est entré en fonction, l’extraction du minerai inframarginal allait de soi, nous explique Suzette Ramcharan, porte-parole de Kirkland Lake. Pire encore, d’autres matières à faible teneur, y compris des résidus miniers, se frayaient un chemin jusqu’à la cheminée à minerai. Que cet état de choses soit attribuable à la culture d’entreprise, au fait que le système de primes aux employés était fondé sur le tonnage (système britannique) et le forage, ou à une combinaison de ces deux facteurs, la présence de résidus miniers dans la cheminée abaissait la teneur de tête et réduisait la productivité. La direction a réagi rapidement, au moyen d’une méthode éprouvée que M. Ogilvie avait acquise en Afrique du Sud. Les superviseurs ont placé des rondelles de métal, estampillées d’un numéro de série et de la date, dans les piles de résidus miniers de la mine. À l’entrée du broyeur, des aimants captaient les rondelles, indiquant ainsi le lieu d’origine des résidus miniers, le moment où ils avaient été orientés vers la cheminée et donc l’identité du mineur responsable. Six semaines plus tard, il n’y avait plus de résidus miniers à l’entrée de la cheminée. De novembre 2013 à janvier 2014, la teneur de tête a bondi de 0,29 à 0,43 once par tonne anglaise, une amélioration de près de 50 %. En janvier 2014, la société a été contrainte de licencier 75 postes. Au cours de l’année, l’attrition a occasionné le départ de 160 autres employés, qui n’ont pas été remplacés. La perte nette de ces 235 employés, soit environ 20 % de l’effectif total, n’a pas nui à la production. Cependant, certaines compétences supplémentaires étaient nécessaires. « Ce gisement est très difficile à analyser », selon M. Ogilvie, en raison des filons étroits de minerai à teneur élevée. « On peut croire qu’on extrait la veine ou le minerai, mais en réalité, on peut aussi bien se trouver dans la paroi. Il faut surveiller l’extraction avec le plus grand soin. » On a donc embauché davantage de géologues miniers pour s’assurer de pouvoir inspecter toutes les parois rocheuses à chaque quart de travail. Grâce à cet effectif supplémentaire, le nombre d’échantillons de roche prélevés a augmenté de 30 % ; les géologues tracent des lignes sur les parois souterraines pour indiquer aux mineurs où continuer l’extraction afin de demeurer dans les filons à teneur élevée. Le laboratoire d’analyse de la mine a aussi bénéficié d’une hausse des effectifs pour disposer de personnel jour et nuit. Auparavant, le laboratoire fermait la nuit et la fin March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 79

Katelyn Malo

En accordant plus d'importance à la qualité du minerai, on n'exploite que la moitié de la capacité du broyeur, qui s'élève à 2 200 tonnes anglaises par jour

REDRESSEMENT CAPITALISATION BOURSIÈRE AURIFÈRE DE KIRKLAND LAKE 31 octobre 2013

19 février 2015

255 $

345 $

millions

millions PRIX DE L’OR ($/oz.)

1 324 $ US 1 268 $ CA

1 206 $ US 1 510 $ CA

34 % BAISSE DU POURCENTAGE DES COÛTS DÉCAISSÉS PAR ONCE PRODUITE T2 2015 (CLOS LE 31 OCTOBRE 2014) C T2 2014 (CLOS LE 31 OCTOBRE 2013)

de semaine, de sorte qu’une analyse pouvait être retardée de 48 heures. Comme l’accent était mis désormais sur la teneur, toute incertitude sur la qualité du minerai devenait inacceptable. Le laboratoire d’analyse traite maintenant les échantillons dans un délai de huit à douze heures. « Les employés du quart suivant savent exactement ce qui constitue des minerais ou des résidus miniers, et où ache miner le tout », explique M. Ogilvie. Un autre facteur important pour la reprise de la société (une reprise évidente au vu d’une capitalisation boursière qui s’approchait récemment de près de 340 millions $) a été d’élever la teneur de coupure de 0,18 à 0,22 once par tonne anglaise. En réduisant la quantité de minerai marginal extrait, la société économise des coûts de main80 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

d’œuvre, d’équipement et de traitement. La mine ne traite plus que 1 100 tonnes anglaises sur une capacité de 2 200 tonnes par jour, mais grâce à l’augmentation de la teneur en or et à la baisse des coûts de main-d’œuvre, la société est de nouveau rentable et dispose de flux de trésorerie, ce qui constitue un pas dans la bonne direction. L’exploitation du broyeur à la moitié de sa capacité comporte toutefois sa part d’inefficacité, admet Mme Ramcharan, en raison des frais fixes associés au fait de « garder les lumières allumées », pour ainsi dire. Au cours de l’été, la mine a été en mesure d’exploiter le broyeur en alternant cinq jours d’activité et deux jours d’arrêt et en accumulant les matériaux pendant la fin de semaine pour les traiter la semaine suivante. « Mais en hiver, on ne veut pas débrancher le broyeur, par crainte du gel », poursuit Mme Ramcharan. « Alors nous sommes revenus à sept jours sur sept pour l’hiver, ce qui nous empêche de profiter de certaines économies de coût parce que nous ne fonctionnons pas à pleine capacité. » Des activités d’exploration supplémentaires pourraient déboucher sur la découverte d’autres cibles à haute teneur susceptibles d’aider à augmenter la production, mais il s’agit là d’un plan à plus long terme. Pour le moment, l’accent est mis sur la gestion des changements actuels.

UNE MINE, CE N’EST PAS QUE DES MACHINES ET UN BROYEUR Ces changements ont donné à la société la capacité technique de se rapprocher de nouveau de la teneur de réserve qu’elle souhaitait, mais le changement de culture ne s’est pas limité à mieux informer les employés et à les empêcher de profiter du système.

Après neuf mois passés à évaluer la mine, M. Ogilvie et son nouveau vice-président de l’exploitation, Chris Stewart, ont demandé à un conseiller de dispenser une formation sur le leadership. Ray Bushfield, de Laidy and Ray Consulting, a été embauché pour aider à améliorer les compétences en leadership, en gestion et en communication des cadres supérieurs et intermédiaires et des superviseurs de première ligne. Au cours de la croissance de l’effectif de la société de 200 à 1 250 employés, la plupart n’avaient jamais reçu de formation sur les compétences nécessaires pour exercer leurs nouvelles fonctions, qui comportaient des responsabilités beaucoup plus importantes. Les cadres et les superviseurs ont enfin pu apprendre à communiquer avec leurs employés, à leur offrir une rétroaction et, au besoin, à les conseiller sur des sujets délicats comme le manque de productivité ou l’absentéisme. Tout récemment, dans un geste qui reflète les pratiques en vigueur à l’exploitation à haute teneur de Goldcorp à Red Lake, la structure des primes à Kirkland Lake a fait l’objet d’un examen approfondi ayant pour but de mettre l’accent sur le nombre d’onces produites plutôt que sur le forage et le tonnage (système britannique). La nouvelle structure de primes, qui prend en compte la sécurité et les coûts en plus de la productivité, s’harmonisera mieux avec l’objectif interne de la société qui est d’extraire des onces de qualité. Dans l’intervalle, l’effectif est en constante évolution alors que la direction tente de trouver le « point idéal » où les coûts sont réduits le plus possible sans affecter la production. La productivité est remontée au niveau moyen historique de la mine, une tonne anglaise par jour par travailleur, après avoir chuté à un certain moment à moins de 0,9 tonne anglaise par travailleur. M. Ogilvie est cependant d’avis que la mine est en mesure de produire de 1 200 à 1 250 tonnes anglaises par jour avec son effectif actuel de 1 015 employés. Il espère atteindre ce seuil d’ici la fin de l’exercice financier de la société, en avril. Mme Ramcharan souligne que Kirkland Lake a budgété ses coûts pour l’exercice 2015 sur la base d’un cours de l’or à 1 350 $. « Nous croyons être en mesure de soutenir un seuil de rentabilité d’environ 1 000 $ l’once » en prenant d’autres mesures de réduction des coûts, ajoute-t-elle. Comme, pour le moment, les prix dépassent ce seuil d’une marge confortable, la société semble être en bonne posture. La hausse graduelle du cours de son action et le retour à la rentabilité qu’elle a réalisé aux deux derniers trimestres en font foi. « Le fait que le cours de l’or a varié de plus de 500 $ l’once ne garantit pas à lui seul l’avenir de cette mine », insiste Mme Ramcharan. Bénéficiant d’un des gisements miniers possédant la plus forte teneur au monde, Kirkland Lake a toujours eu la capacité de sortir gagnante. En mettant désormais l’accent sur la rentabilité plutôt que sur la production pure et simple, la société est en bonne voie pour concrétiser de nouveau son potentiel. Pour les 10 000 résidents de la ville de Kirkland Lake et ceux des collectivités environnantes qui dépendent de la mine en tant que moteur de l’économie, c’est la meilleure nouvelle qu’ils aient eue depuis longtemps. ICM

| profil de projet

Katelyn Malo

MACASSA ET SOUTH MINE

EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE ALIMENTÉE PAR BATTERIE Le complexe minier Macassa and South Mine est à l’avant-garde de la technologie en matière d’exploitation minière et est doté de certains des équipements les plus récents et uniques de l’industrie. Confrontée aux limites de ventilation qui l’empêchaient d’accroître son parc d’appareils au diesel souterrains, Kirkland Lake a été l’une des premières sociétés à utiliser des véhicules électriques. Un tout nouveau parc composé de 12 chargeurs-transporteurs et de trois tombereaux de chantier, fabriqués par RDH Mining Equipment, qui fonctionnent à l’aide de batteries lithium-ion phosphate de fer longue durée (LiFePO4) et qui n’émettent aucune émission. Cet équipement procure la souplesse que les machines et les chariots électriques ancrés n’offrent pas. Les chargeurs-transporteurs outillés de godets de trois verges cubes, utilisent des batteries d’une capacité de 100 kilowatts (134 ch), alors que les tombereaux de chantier de 20 tonnes ont une capacité de 165 kW (221 ch). Ces deux ensembles de batteries ont des composants communs et utilisent le même logiciel et les mêmes contrôles, minimisant les stocks des pièces de rechange, selon George Ogilvie, chef de la direction de la société. Naturellement, la gestion des batteries exige de la coordination, étant donné qu’elles doivent être rechargées deux fois par quart de travail. Afin d’éviter toute interruption de travail, une batterie doit toujours être en mode de recharge, une autre en mode de refroidissement et une autre sur l’appareil. La société utilise toujours des chargeurs-transporteurs au diesel, mais elle continuera à l’avenir de remplacer les véhicules fonctionnant au diesel par la technologie alimentée par batterie. ICM

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 81

New Afton mine goes for gold with ISO 50001 Gold miners know value — and not just of precious minerals. At New Gold, energy efficiency also offers value, both economic and social. The company’s mining operations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Chile and Australia all adhere to high environmental standards. In March 2014, it was the first in North America to be certified for energy management under the ISO 50001 standard. Continuing to qualify for the certification means the operation goes through a detailed audit each year – meaning that it is very publicly committed to the goal of energy conservation. “The mining industry has been focused on energy efficiency and environmental improvement for quite some time,” says Andrew Cooper, energy specialist at New Afton, noting the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining protocol encourages companies to improve environmental performance in all areas. “The ISO 50001 is a new way of looking at it.” Cooper says ISO 50001 certification goes beyond a project-based focus by embedding energy management into the “culture and systems of the company.” “No matter how good your system is, if the people aren’t on board and aware of the system, everything falls apart,” he says. Cooper started at New Afton in 2011, and the company implemented a comprehensive energy management information system, or EMIS, in 2012. BC Hydro supported the effort, providing incentive funding for analysis, energy improvements and Cooper’s position, something he believes other companies should take advantage of. “The funding to allow someone to be onsite full-time to focus on energy management is a huge benefit,” he says.

“It all starts with your vision and your mission and your energy policy,” he says. “Your energy policy outlines what you want to achieve in terms of energy management. The policy is a starting point of everything.” With support from Natural Resources Canada, New Afton put in place a monitoring and measurement system, and then worked towards the ISO 50001 certification. That required an energy review assessing energy sources, past energy use, and the variables that affect energy use. The review also sets up usage baselines, determines how energy use will be forecast moving forward, and outlines how energy performance and improvement projects will be assessed. Cooper says New Afton has four components that utilize more than 75 per cent of the mine’s energy: grinding, crushing and conveying, ventilation and mobile equipment. “Our big focus is on those four significant energy uses because small improvements there account for big savings overall,” he says. “The focus of ISO is on these significant energy uses and improving efficiency in those particular areas.” The mine has just completed a “ventilation on demand” project, which is projected to save 7.8 gigawatt hours of power annually. Since the mine is an underground operation, good ventilation is crucial. However, converting to an on demand system has enabled New Afton to use only power for ventilation when it is needed. It will also reduce electricity cost by an estimated $300,000 annually. There are other benefits associated with on-demand systems. Decreasing how often mechanical systems are turned on – and how long they run for – can reduce wear and tear and maintenance requirements, creating financial savings and potential safety rewards for employees. The working environment also becomes friendlier, because it isn’t as noisy. “There hasn’t been one project we’ve implemented to date which has just had an energy efficiency benefit,” says Cooper. “Every single project we do has spin off benefits apart from energy efficiency benefits, which really do help the operation be more efficient, safer, and more environmentally friendly.” There are also public relations benefits. Although the company’s New Afton mine is the only one with the ISO 50001 energy management standard, Cooper says, “All our mines are ISO 14001 certified with environmental standards. The company commitment to social responsibility and the environment is evident in that.” Cooper says New Gold couldn’t have done it alone. Assistance from BC Hydro and Natural Resources Canada helped throughout, starting with consulting services of Toronto-based LCG Energy Management and Prism Engineering from Vancouver. Tait Kisby, BC Hydro Key Account Manager, says there are strong reasons for other mining operations to consider following New Afton’s lead in pursuing energy conservation. “It’s a challenging time right now in the mining industry as commodity prices go up and down,” he acknowledges. “Part of remaining competitive is to cut costs wherever possible, and energy is a huge part of that equation.” Kisby adds staying competitive is a way for mines to live up to their obligations to their employees; in many communities, mines are primary employers. Managing to run efficiently can mean the difference between a vibrant town and one where people have to leave to find work.

SAVING ENERGY IS SMART BUSINESS. For more information visit bchydro.com/industrial

New Dimensions | Nouvelles dimensions

Preliminary Expo! guide

Guide préliminaire de l’Expo! CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

Welcome to ~ Bienvenue à

Spring is just around the corner, bringing about new growth and new opportunity! Set to take advantage of these exciting developments are more than 450 exhibiting companies that will gather to showcase their wears under one roof, the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. Suppliers, contractors and vendors alike will be welcoming visitors to this international city, renowned for its French flair, where the savoir vivre will only be surpassed by their willingness to share new information, product knowledge and service offerings. The 2015 Expo! boasts two provincial pavilions, four international pavilions, a Rock Mechanics pavilion and product demos from the Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium. Opportunities abound at the Expo! – Canada’s mining marketplace!

Le printemps est à nos portes, apportant avec lui de nouvelles possibilités de croissance et l’envie d’explorer de nouveaux horizons ! Les quelque 450 entreprises qui convergeront vers le Palais des congrès de Montréal pour présenter leurs produits et services dans le cadre de l’Expo! 2015 profiteront assurément de ce climat propice à des développements prometteurs. Des fournisseurs, des entrepreneurs et des représentants accueilleront les visiteurs dans cette ville internationale renommée pour son esprit français. Leur hospitalité n’aura d’égal que leur empressement à communiquer aux visiteurs de l’information nouvelle, leur connaissance des produits et leur offre de services. L’Expo! 2015 comptera deux pavillons provinciaux, quatre pavillons internationaux, un pavillon sur la mécanique des roches ainsi que des démonstrations de produit dans le cadre du symposium sur les sciences minières planétaires et terrestres. Bref, il y a plus d’une occasion à saisir à l’Expo!, le carrefour des affaires de l’ICM!

Nadia Bakka Trade Show & Marketing Coordinator Coordinatrice du congrès et marketing

Martin Bell Exhibitions Sales Manager Directeur des ventes et salons commerciaux

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 85

EXHIBITORS LISTING | LISTE DES EXPOSANTS BOOTH 1025

BOOTH 1615

BOOTH 2005

BOOTH 1325

3D Laser Mapping

Aecon Mining

Aquatech

Axter Coletanche

Bingham Nottingham, NGM Great Britain T.: 44-194-9838-004 3dlasermapping.com

Fort McMurray, AB, Canada T.: 780-791-5477 aecon.com

Maple, ON, Canada T.: 905-907-1700 AquatechDewatering.com

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-903-1912 coletanche.com

BOOTH 620

BOOTH 718

BOOTH 1423

BOOTH 2221

AFM Industries

Armour Valve

B.I.D. Canada Ltd.

3GSM GmbH

Oshawa, ON, Canada T.: 905-443-0150 afmindustries.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-299-0780 armourvalve.com

Woodstock, NB, Canada T.: 506-328-4381 bidcanadaltd.com

Graz, Austria T.: 43-316-464744-0 3gsm.at

BOOTH 3005

BOOTH 304

BOOTH 308

BOOTH 1315

Agilent Technologies

Armtec

Baldor Electric Co.

Wilmington, DE, USA T.: 302-636-1702 agilent.com

St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada T.: 450-346-4481 armtec.com

Fort Smith, AR, USA T.: 479-646-4711 baldor.com

London, ON, Canada T.: 519-451-2500 3M.ca/mining

BOOTH JF05

BOOTH 408

BOOTH 1226

Agnico Eagle

BOOTH 3105

Barr / Roche

48e Nord International

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-847-8669 agnicoeagle.com

ASDR Environnement

Minneapolis, MN, USA T.: 952-832-2600 barr.com

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-762-4923 48inter.com BOOTH 3112

ABAQ Inc. Ste-Thérèse, QC, Canada T.: 450-979-0697 boreholeplugs.com BOOTH 1421

ABC Canada Technology Group Ltd. Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-653-4303 abccanada.ca BOOTH 2904

ABEL Pumps Sewickley, PA, USA T.: 412-741-3222 abelpumps.com BOOTH 1824

Acme Specialty Mfg. Co. Toledo, OH, USA T.: 419-243-8109 acmespecialty.com BOOTH 2421

ACR Group Inc. Nisku, AB, Canada T.: 780-955-2802 acrgroup.ca BOOTH 1223

Adelard Soucy (1975) Inc./ Soucy Industriel Rivière-du-Loup, QC, Canada T.: 418-862-2355 adelardsoucy.com

86 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Malartic, QC, Canada T.: 819-757-3039 asdr.ca

BOOTH 203

BOOTH 1709

Alerton International, LLC

BOOTH 2326

BASF Corporation

Westbury, NY, USA T.: 844-253-7866 alertoninternational.com

ASGCO Allentown, PA, USA T.: 610-821-0216 asgco.com

Beachwood, OH, USA T.: 705-474-1625 master-builderssolutions.basf.us

Allied Construction Products LLC

BOOTH 2707

BOOTH 904

ASSA ABLOY

BBA

Cleveland, OH, USA T.: 216-431-2600 AlliedCP.com

Peachtree City, GA, USA T.: 678-782-4777 assaabloyentrance.com

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 450-866-2111 bba.ca

BOOTH 526

BOOTH 1300

BOOTH 2604

ALLU Group, Inc.

Atlantic Industries Limited

Becker Varis

Teterboro, NJ, USA T.: 201-288-2236 allu.net

Dorchester, NB, Canada T.: 506-379-2456 ailmining.com

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-674-8111 beckerwms.com

BOOTH 2307

BOOTH 2017

BOOTH 2203

Altra Industrial Motion

Atlas Copco Mining and Rock Excavation Canada

Beijing Joint-Union Exhibition

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 705-669-2940 atlascopco.com

Beijing, Haidian, China T.: 86-10-88111462 beijingjointunion. itrademarket.com

BOOTH 1021

Braintree, MA, USA T.: 781-971-0600 altramotion.com BOOTH 1111

AMEC

BOOTH 1921

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-664-4315 amec.com/mining

Ausenco

BOOTH 2026

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-684-9311 ausenco.com

BEUMER Kansas City LLC

BOOTH 2324

Anchor Danly

BOOTH 925

Windsor, ON, Canada T.: 519-966-4031 anchordanly.com

Austin Powder Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-688-8314 austinpowder.com

BOOTH 827

ANDRITZ

BOOTH 3016

Richmond, BC, Canada T.: 604-214-9248 andritz.com

Autonomous Solutions, Inc. Mendon, UT, USA T.: 435-755-2980 asirobots.com

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

Kansas City, MO, USA T.: 816-245-7262 beumergroup.com BOOTH 815

BKT Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 780-888-5667 bkt-tires.com

BOOTH 417

BOOTH JF07

BOOTH 1720

BOOTH 1522

Blair Rubber Company

Cameco Corporation

Contango Strategies Ltd.

Seville, OH, USA T.: 330-256-4442 blairrubber.com

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-956-6215 cameco.com

Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)

BOOTH 2404

BOOTH 1514

BlueScope Global Building Solutions

Canada North Environmental Limited Partnership

BOOTH 1125

Continental Conveyor Ltd.

Chemline Plastics Limited

Kansas City, MO, USA T.: 905-464-0161 bluescopebuildings.com

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-652-4432 cannorth.com

Thornhill, ON, Canada T.: 800-930-2436 chemline.com

Thetford Mines, QC, Canada T.: 418-338-4682 continentalconveyor.ca

BOOTH 2405

BOOTH 614

BOOTH 1915

Control System CA, Inc.

Brandt

Canadian Association of Mining Equipment & Service

CIM Magazine

Timmins, ON, Canada T.: 705-262-6152 controlsystem.ca

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-673-6568 miningexcellence.ca

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-978-3111 contangostrategies.com BOOTH 510

BOOTH 2715

Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-791-7562 brandt.ca

Markham, ON, Canada T.: 905-513-0046 camese.org

BOOTH 1409

Breaker Technology Ltd.

BOOTH 514

Thornbury, ON, Canada T.: 519-599-2015 rockbreaker.com

Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ)

BOOTH 500

Brevini Canada Ltd. Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-674-2591 brevini.com BOOTH 1614

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Nashville, TN, USA T.: 615-937-3626 bridgestone-firestone.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-510-6981 canadianminingjournal.com

Westmount, QC, Canada T.: 514-939-2710 magazine.cim.org

BOOTH 2104 BOOTH 2415

Corix Water Products

CIM Vancouver 2016 Sales Office

London, ON, Canada T.: 888-866-8485 corix.com

Westmount, QC, Canada T.: 514-939-2710 cim.org BOOTH 1619

BOOTH 1925

CK Logistics

Canam

St-Laurent, QC, Canada T.: 514-856-7580 cklogistics.ca

Boucherville, QC, Canada T.: 450-641-4000 canam-construction.com

BOOTH 3100 BOOTH 301

CKR Global

Carlo Gavazzi Canada Inc.

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-262-4545 ckrglobal.com

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-542-0979 GavazziOnline.com

BOOTH 2527

BOOTH 2121

Britespan Building Systems

BOOTH 1908

CLG

Carlson Software

Lucknow, ON, Canada T.: 519-528-2922 britespanbuildings.com

Maysville, KY, USA T.: 606-564-5028 carlsonsw.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-721-9320 clg.com BOOTH 1515

BOOTH 505

BOOTH 411

Clifton Associates Ltd.

Brook Crompton Ltd.

Cavotec Canada Inc.

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-675-3844 brookcromptonna.com

Markham, ON, Canada T.: 905-415-2233 cavotec.com

Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-721-7611 clifton.ca

BOOTH 2224

CR Mining Equipment Frisco, TX, USA T.: 469-400-2314 cqmsrazer.com BOOTH 1405

Cummins Inc. Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-695-8410 easterncanada.cummins.com BOOTH 1724

CWA Engineers Inc. Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-637-2275 cwaengineers.com BOOTH 2314

Cypher Environmental Ltd. Winnipeg, MB, Canada T.: 204-489-1214 cypherenvironmental.com BOOTH 905

BOOTH JF03

BOOTH 621

COGEP

Dassault Systemes Canada Software Inc.

Brunel

CBCL Limited Consulting Engineers

Quebec, QC, Canada T.: 418-626-2503 cogep.com

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-684-6550 geovia.com

BOOTH 1101

BOOTH 1119

Columbia Steel Casting Co. Inc.

Datamine Software

BOOTH 1621

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-396-7890 brunelcanada.ca

Sydney, NS, Canada T.: 902-539-1330 cbcl.ca

BOOTH 520

BUSINESS France

BOOTH 2202

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-670-3977 ubifrance.com

CCPIT Machinery SubCouncil

BOOTH 400

Cab Products Ebensburg, PA, USA T.: 814-472-5077 cabproducts.com

88 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Beijing, China T.: 86-10-68595539 chinamachine.org.cn BOOTH 1126

Cementation Canada Inc. North Bay, ON, Canada T.: 705-472-3381 cementation.com

Portland, OR, USA T.: 800-547-9471 columbiasteel.com

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-688-0101 cae.com/mining BOOTH 2423

BOOTH 1424

Davey Bickford

Conspec Controls Ltd.

Salt Lake City, UT, USA T.: 801-562-3045 daveybickford.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-661-0500 conspec.ca

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

BOOTH 2107

BOOTH JF04

BOOTH 2115

BOOTH 1805

Davidson Group

Detour Gold

DMC Mining Services

DSI Mining Canada

Ajax, ON, Canada T.: 905-683-8986 jsdavidson.ca

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-304-0800 detourgold.com

Vaughan, ON, Canada T.: 905-780-1980 dmcmining.com

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-244-6244 dsigroundsupport.com

BOOTH 710

BOOTH 1219

BOOTH 2901

BOOTH 929

De Beers Group Services

Developpement Economique d’Amos

DMK Inc.

Dumas Contracting Ltd.

Stevens Point, WI, USA T.: 715-344-8600 dmkInc.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-594-2525 dumasmining.com

Johannesburg, GT, South Africa T.: 27-11-374-7333 debtech.com

Amos, QC, Canada T.: 819-218-0122 ville.amos.qc.ca

BOOTH 3010

BOOTH 3106

BOOTH 2022

BOOTH 2216

Doppelmayr

DELSAN-A.I.M. Environmental Services Inc.

DGI Geoscience

Saint-Jérôme, QC, Canada T.: 450-432-1128 doppelmayr-mts.com

Duratray International Pty Ltd

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-494-9898 delsan-aim.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-361-3191 dgigeoscience.com

Melbourne, VIC, Australia T.: 61-3-8761 2800 duratray.com

BOOTH 2822 BOOTH 1521

DRA Taggart

BOOTH 824

Deswik Canada Inc.

Diversified Construction & Maintenance

DUX Machinery Corporation

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-700-7344 deswik.com

Stony Beach, SK, Canada T.: 306-345-2090 dcm4hire.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-800-8797 DRAglobal.com

BOOTH 2719

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

Repentigny, QC, Canada T.: 450-581-8341 duxmachinery.com

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 89

BOOTH 1520

BOOTH 2215

BOOTH 1701

BOOTH 508

Dyna Industrial

Engineering Seismology Group Canada Inc. (ESG)

FLSmidth

General Kinematics

Midvale, UT, USA T.: 801-871-7000 flsmidth.com

Crystal Lake, IL, USA T.: 815-455-3222 generalkinematics.com

Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-359-7088 dynaindustrial.com

Kingston, ON, Canada T.: 613-548-8287 esgsolutions.com

BOOTH 1221

BOOTH 1625

BOOTH 2229

Dynamik

BOOTH 618

Fournier Industries

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-762-6200 dynamik.com

ERM

Thetford Mines, QC, Canada T.: 418-423-4241 fournierindustries.com

Geobrugg Geohazard Solutions

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-689-9460 erm.com

BOOTH 1224

BOOTH 402

Dynamitage Castonguay Ltee

BOOTH 1227

Friesen Drillers

Euclid Chemical

Val d’Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-825-4095 castonguay.ca

St-Hubert, QC, Canada T.: 514-208-4346 euclidchemical.com

Steinbach, MB, Canada T.: 204-326-2485 friesendrillers.com

BOOTH 1501

BOOTH 1826

Fuller Industrial Corp.

Dyno Nobel Canada

Everest Automation Inc.

Salt Lake City, UT, USA T.: 801-328-6477 dynonobel.com

Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC, Canada T.: 514-630-9290 everest-automation.com

Lively, ON, Canada T.: 705-682-2777 fullerindustrial.com

BOOTH 1801

BOOTH 823

Kelowna, BC, Canada T.: 250-470-3644 geobrugg.com/en/sectors/ mining BOOTH 1329

GeoSight Inc. Oshawa, ON, Canada T.: 905-436-6528 geosight.ca BOOTH 2820

GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech Hazleton, PA, USA T.: 570-455-5861 geosonicsvibratech.com

FWS Group of Companies

BOOTH 1209

EBC-Northec-DBF

BOOTH 1900

Brossard, QC, Canada T.: 450-444-9333 ebcInc.com

F.F.P. Systems Inc. Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-270-9872 ffpsystems.com

Winnipeg, MB, Canada T.: 204-487-2500 fwsgroup.com BOOTH 1129

BOOTH 3124

Geovariances AVON CEDEX, France T.: 33 -1-6074-9090 geovariances.com

G+ Industrial Plastics

BOOTH 605

Eirich Machines Inc.

BOOTH 2024

Gurnee, IL, USA T.: 847-336-2444 eirichusa.com

Filterfab/NFM Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada T.: 819-691-4104 filterfab.ca

BOOTH 523

Electro-Sensors Inc.

BOOTH 1204

Minnetonka, MN, USA T.: 952-930-0100 electro-sensors.com

Flairbase Inc. Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-695-0352 flairbase.com

BOOTH 1400

Evain, QC, Canada T.: 819-768-8888 plastiquesgplus.com

BOOTH 501

GIW Industries Inc.

BOOTH 420

Grovetown, GA, USA T.: 706-863-1011 giwindustries.com

Galaxy Broadband Communications Inc.

BOOTH 2119

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 877-463-9728 galaxybroadband.ca

GKM Consultants, Inc. St-Bruno, QC, Canada T.: 450-441-5444 gkmconsultants.com

BOOTH 415

Emerson

BOOTH 1618

Garier Inc.

BOOTH 1907

Round Rock, TX, Canada T.: 512-832-3180 EmersonCanada.ca

Flanders Electric Motor Service

Mirabel, QC, Canada T.: 450-437-7852 garier.ca

Gladiator Equipment Inc.

BOOTH 1923

Evansville, IN, USA T.: 307-258-4172 flandersInc.com

BOOTH 1904

Endress+Hauser Burlington, ON, Canada T.: 905-681-4359 ca.endress.com BOOTH 1122

BOOTH 2606

Fleming College Lindsay, ON, Canada T.: 705-324-9144 flemingcollege.ca

Enduride Canada USA Quebec, QC, Canada T.: 418-266-7777 enduridecanadausa.com

FLEXARMOR

BOOTH 2402

Engart Global Dust Extraction Technology

BOOTH 2526

90 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

GE Mining

BOOTH JF11

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-858-5448 ge.com/mining

Global Mining Standards and Guidelines Group

BOOTH 2923

Westmount, QC, Canada T.: 514-984-8775 globalminingstandards.org

GEA Westfalia Separator BOOTH 3107 La Guadeloupe, QC, Canada T.: 418-459-3553 flexarmor.ca

Beckley, WV, USA T.: 304-253-0777 engartInc.com

Leduc, AB, Canada T.: 780-980-7555 gladiatorequipment.com

Northvale, NJ, USA T.: 201-767-3900 wsus.com BOOTH 819

BOOTH JF09

Goldcorp Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-363-1445 goldcorp.com

General Cable Flexco Downers Grove, IL, USA T.: 630-971-0150 flexco.com

Brampton, ON, Canada T.: 905-494-5327 generalcable.com

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

BOOTH 1408

Golder Associates Ltd. Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-296-4213 golder.com

BOOTH 1517

BOOTH 1729

BOOTH 3108

BOOTH 207

Government of Saskatchewan

Grote Industries, Co.

Haulmax (Aust) Pty Ltd.

Markham, ON, Canada T.: 905-209-9744 grote.com

Wynyard, TAS, Australia T.: 61-3-6442-7777 haulmax.com

Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems Canada Inc.

Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-787-5578 saskatchewan.ca/invest

BOOTH 1215

BOOTH 516

BOOTH 1309

Groupe Castech-Plessitech

Hayward Gordon ULC

Graham Industrial Services

Thetford-Mines, QC, Canada T.: 613-521-2345 castechInc.com

Halton Hills, ON, Canada T.: 905-693-8595 haywardgordon.com

BOOTH 2920

BOOTH 705

Groupe Gilbert

Hein Lehmann Canada Inc.

Chicoutimi, QC, Canada T.: 800-263-7705 groupegilbert.com

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-879-3804 heinlehmann.ca

BOOTH 2905

BOOTH 1920

H2Flow Equipment Inc.

Hella Mining Canada

Concord, ON, Canada T.: 905-660-9775 h2flow.com

Peachtree City, GA, USA T.: 404-386-8756 hellamining.com

BOOTH 901

BOOTH 916

HARD-LINE

Hepburn Engineering Inc.

Dowling, ON, Canada T.: 705-855-1310 hard-line.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-638-4425 hepeng.com

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-430-9600 graham.ca BOOTH 425

Greatario Engineered Storage Systems Innerkip, ON, Canada T.: 519-469-8169 greatario.com BOOTH 2322

Grindex Pumps Tinley Park, IL, USA T.: 708-781-2135 grindex.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-231-2555 herrenknecht.com BOOTH 1001

Hewitt Equipement Limitee Pointe Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-630-3254 hewitt.ca BOOTH 423

High Strength Plates and Profiles Inc. Lively, Ontario, Canada T.: 705-692-4477 highstrengthplates.com BOOTH 1808

Honeywell Process Solutions London, ON, Canada T.: 519-679-6570 honeywellprocess.com

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BOOTH 700

BOOTH 1027

BOOTH 1809

BOOTH 2911

Horne Group

Industrial Fabrication Inc.

Jebco Industries

KGO Group Ltd.

Barrie, ON, Canada T.: 705-797-8888 jebcoindustries.com

Oakville, ON, Canada T.: 905-847-1544 kgogroup.com

Shanty Bay, ON, Canada T.: 705-487-3007 horne-group.com

Lively, ON, Canada T.: 705-523-1621 minecat.com

BOOTH 2222

BOOTH 825

BOOTH 3102

Hoskin Scientific

BOOTH 2320

Jetco Heavy Duty Lighting

King Shotcrete Solutions

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-735-5267 hoskin.ca

Industrial Info Resources

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-732-4277 jetcolighting.com

Burlington, ON, Canada T.: 905-639-2993 kingshotcrete.com

BOOTH 528

BOOTH 2813

Joest Inc.

Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

BOOTH 404

HUESKER Inc. Charlotte, NC, USA T.: 800-942-9418 huesker.com/usa BOOTH 300

Hydra-Tech International Corporation Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-720-7742 hydra-tech.net

Sugar Land, TX, USA T.: 713-783-5147 industrialinfo.com BOOTH 2100

InfoMine Inc. Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-683-2037 infomine.com BOOTH 1211

InnovExplo Inc. Val-d’Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-874-0447 innovexplo.com

BOOTH 3103

Glen Ellyn, IL, USA T.: 630-469-0900 joest-us.com

Surrey, BC, Canada T.: 604-572-3935 kobelt.com

BOOTH 616

John Brooks Company Limited Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 877-624-5757 johnbrooks.ca

BOOTH 3125

Kontek Process Water Management Burlington, ON, Canada T.: 905-332-8366 KontekEcology.com

BOOTH 920

IDS North America Ltd.

BOOTH 608

Johnson Industries Ltd.

BOOTH 1105

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-789-0082 idscorporation.com/na

Intersystems

Delta, BC, Canada T.: 604-940-4555 jbrakes.com

Krupp Canada Inc.

Omaha, NE, USA T.: 402-917-4314 intersystems.net

BOOTH 1320

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-209-4431 krupp.ca

BOOTH 915

IMAFS Inc.

BOOTH 3101

Joy Global

BOOTH 1229

St-Lambert, QC, Canada T.: 450-671-1831 imafs.com

Iracore International MN

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-291-2230 joyglobal.com

L. Fournier & Fils Inc.

Hibbing, MN, USA T.: 218-263-8831 iracore.com

BOOTH 1401

Val-d’Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-825-4000 fournier-fils.com

BOOTH 1222

Imperial Oil Ltd.

BOOTH 1427

K.N. Equipements

BOOTH 2020

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-727-9158 mobil.ca

ISAAC Instruments

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-4919 knInc.ca

Lafarge Canada, Inc.

Chambly, QC, Canada T.: 450-658-7520 isaac.ca

BOOTH 1922

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-738-7626 lafarge-na.com

BOOTH 709

INC.O Engineering s.r.o.

BOOTH 2522

Kal Tire

BOOTH 2709

Mequon, WI, USA T.: 414-690-6540 inc.oengineering.cz

ISCO Canada Inc.

Vernon, BC, Canada T.: 250-542-2366 kaltiremining.com

Laser Distance Spectrometry Ltd.

Louisville, KY, USA T.: 514-266-9900 isco-pipe.com

BOOTH 1115

BOOTH 1924

Independent Mining Consultants Inc.

BOOTH 2220

Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.

Kalenborn Abresist Corporation

Tucson, AZ, USA T.: 520-294-9861 imctucson.com

Minneapolis, MN, USA T.: 612-371-4711 itascacg.com

Urbana, IN, USA T.: 514-426-0460 kalenborn.de

BOOTH 3109

BOOTH 3121

BOOTH 309

Indotech Industrial Garage Doors Inc.

ITW Polymers Adhesives, North America

Kemetco Research Inc.

Boucherville, QC, Canada T.: 450 641 8222 indotech.ca

Danvers, MA, USA T.: 855-489-7262 devcon.com

Layfield Environmental Systems Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-732-5825 layfieldenvironmental.com BOOTH 801

BOOTH 1927

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-485-8339 ledcor.com

BOOTH 2910

Industrial Architecture Alliance Inc.

Jannatec Technologies

Key Maintenance Technologies

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-566-3939 jannatec.com

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-437-7659 kmt1.ca

92 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

BOOTH 2117

Richmond, BC, Canada T.: 604-273-3600 kemetco.com

BOOTH 3020

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-871-2121 iaadirect.ca

Petah Tikva, Israel T.: 613-276-5595 laser-distancespectrometry.com

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

Ledcor Group of Companies

BOOTH 1524

Legacy Building Solutions South Haven, MN, USA T.: 320-258-0500 LegacyBuildingSolutions.com

BOOTH 1716

BOOTH 2001

BOOTH 509

BOOTH 1201

Leica Geosystems Inc.

Liebherr-Canada Ltd.

LYNN Co Ltd.

Tucson, AZ, USA T.: 520-495-1524 mining.leica-geosystems.com

Burlington, ON, Canada T.: 289-259-9046 liebherr.ca

Thetford Mines, QC, Canada T.: 418-338-4501 lynnco.ca

Machines Roger International Inc.

BOOTH 1207

BOOTH 2124

BOOTH 527

Les chaussures STC

Line Power Mfg. Corp.

Anjou, QC, Canada T.: 888-686-1286 stcfootwear.com

Bristol, VA, USA T.: 276-645-8825 linepower.com

M.G.M. Electric Motors North America Inc.

BOOTH 1205

BOOTH 3021

Les Forages L.B.M. Inc.

Logic Supply, Inc.

BOOTH 1225

Victoriaville, QC, Canada T.: 819-758-7883 lesforageslbm.com

South Burlington, VT, USA T.: 802-861-2300 logicsupply.com

M2S Electronique Ltee.

BOOTH 1926

Quebec, QC, Canada T.: 418-842-1312 m2s.ca

Mammoet Canada West

BOOTH 725

BOOTH 1005

Les Industries Permo Inc.

Luff Industries Ltd.

BOOTH 2717

Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, QC, Canada T.: 450-464-5466 permodome.com

Rocky View (Calgary), AB, Canada T.: 888-349-5833 luffindustries.com

Mabarex

BOOTH 307

Saint-Laurent, QC, Canada T.: 514-334-6721 mabarex.com

MAN Diesel & Turbo Canada Ltd.

BOOTH 714

BOOTH 521

BOOTH 625

Levert Personnel Resources Inc.

Lumnisave Industrial LED Technologies Ltd.

Maccaferri Canada Ltd.

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-525-8367 levert.ca

Prince George, BC, Canada T.: 250-563-7283 lumisave.com

Vaudreuil, QC, Canada T.: 514-355-4343 mgmelectricmotors.com

Val-d’Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-825-4657 machines-roger.ca BOOTH 1117

MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Limited Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-670-8014 macleanengineering.com

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-485-8568 mammoet.com

Oakville, ON, Canada T.: 289-835-1063 mandieselturbo.ca

Cambridge, ON, Canada T.: 519-623-9990 maccaferri.ca

THE 36TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SAFETY IN MINES RESEARCH INSTITUTES THE FUTURE OF MINING SAFETY RESEARCH

SAVE THE DATE

MARK CUTIFANI Honorary Chair

OCTOBER 25-27, 2015

Chief Executive Anglo American

Topics

SUDBURY, CANADA > Mining Safety Research

> New Approaches to Track Leading and Lagging Indicators

> Occupational Health and Safety Technology

> Intrinsically Safety Design

> Mine Rescue

> Ground Control/Rock Mechanics Instrumentation for Early Warning Systems > Personal Protective Equipment Innovations

> Safety Management Systems > Case Studies on Mining Disasters

ABSTRACTS ACCEPTED

UNTIL JUNE 1

> Hazard Identification Methodology

> Diesel Emission Reduction

> Occupational Health Hazards Underground

> Ergonomics

> Leadership in Mining Safety

> Communication Technology > Regulatory Approaches to Mining Health and Safety

UPDATES AND DETAILS

ICSMRI.CIM.ORG

> Contractor Safety

> Technology and Management of Change

In Collaboration With

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 93

BOOTH 1214

BOOTH 1206

BOOTH 817

BOOTH 3007

Manufacture Adria

Mecanicad

Mine Cable Services Corp.

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-5881 adria-mfg.ca

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-2009 mecanicad.ca

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-439-1113 minecableservices.ca

Mitsubishi Materials U.S.A. Corporation

BOOTH 2009

BOOTH 1601

BOOTH 1429

Maptek

Meglab

Mine Design Technologies

BOOTH 1504

Lakewood, CO, USA T.: 303-763-4919 maptek.com

Val-d’Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-824-7710 meglab.ca

Kingston, ON, Canada T.: 613-549-5223 mdt.ca

MMD Mineral Sizing (Canada) Inc.

BOOTH 2303

BOOTH 701

BOOTH 707

Martin Engineering USA

Metso

Neponset, IL, USA T.: 309-852-2384 martin-eng.com

Canonsburg, PA, USA T.: 412-269-5298 metso.com

Mine Hoists International Ltd.

BOOTH 2808

BOOTH 1009

Matrix Design Group

Michelin North America Inc.

BOOTH 1425

Lexington, KY, USA T.: 859-967-1711 MatrixTeam.com

Greenville, SC, USA T.: 864-458-5178 michelinearthmover.com

MineSight

BOOTH 804

Tucson, AZ, USA T.: 520-795-3891 minesight.com

Motion Metrics Int’l Corp.

BOOTH 1526

BOOTH 525

McLanahan Corporation

MiHR COUNCIL - CONSEIL RHiM

BOOTH 3118

MISOM

BOOTH 3022

Kanata, ON, Canada T.: 613-270-9696 MIHR.CA

Tucson, AZ, USA T.: 520-495-0185 misom.com

Movex Innovation

McLellan Industries Inc.

BOOTH 1705

BOOTH 2103

Hanford, CA, USA T.: 559-537-7670 mclellanindustries.com

Minc.on Mining Equipment

Mission Critical Energy Inc.

BOOTH 3120

Amherst, NY, USA T.: 716-276-8465 missioncriticalenergy.com

Val Caron, ON, Canada T.: 705-897-4955 mobileparts.com

Hollidaysburg, PA, USA T.: 814-695-9807 mclanahan.com

North Bay, ON, Canada T.: 705-495-8587 minehoist.com

BOOTH 2318

Roanoke, VA, USA T.: 540-344-9939 minc.onmining.com

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 800-423-1358 mmus.com

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-451-5100 mmdsizers.com BOOTH 1525

Modular Mining Systems Tucson, AZ, USA T.: 520-746-9127 modularmining.com

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-822-5842 motionmetrics.com

Shawinigan, QC, Canada T.: 819-538-0376 movexinnovation.com

MPI Mobile Parts Inc.

BOOTH 2225

MTS Systems Corporation

New Dimensions

STAY APP-TO-DATE

Eden Prairie, MN, USA T.: 952-937-4454 mts.com BOOTH 1508

Mullen Trucking LP

Get the practical interactive Convention program and contribute to helping us reduce our carbon footprint.

Aldersyde, AB, Canada T.: 403-652-8888 mullentrucking.com

Available as of April 2015.

BOOTH 1004

Multotec Canada Ltd.

> Build your personalized schedule

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-433-8825 multotec.com

> Locate sessions and exhibitor booths with the interactive floor map

BOOTH 3111

> See who’s attending and connect onsite

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-221-3084 nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

> Be in the know with event alerts

National Research Council Canada

BOOTH 427

Neptec Technologies Corp.

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

Kanata, ON, Canada T.: 613-599-7603 neptectechnologies.com

94 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

BOOTH 3000

BOOTH 3025

BOOTH 2922

BOOTH 524

New Brunswick Trade & Export Development

O’kane Consultants Inc.

Parker

Plattco Corporation

Saksatoon, SK, Canada T.: 587-223-7493 okc-sk.com

Milton, ON, Canada T.: 905-693-4804 parker.com/canada

Plattsburgh, NY, USA T.: 518-563-4640 Plattco.com

Fredericton, NB, Canada T.: 506-444-5973 gnb.ca

BOOTH 2105

BOOTH 2708

BOOTH 2223

BOOTH 2218

Olympus Canada Inc.

PBE

Plaxis Americas LLC

New Concept Mining

Richmond Hill, ON, Canada T.: 289-269-0160 olympuscanada.com

Val Caron, ON, Canada T.: 705-222-0020 pbegrp.com

Houston, TX, USA T.: 650-804-4729 plaxis.nl

BOOTH 2325

BOOTH 3013

BOOTH 1415

Orica Canada Inc.

PCI Gases

Polar Mobility Research Ltd.

Watkins, CO, USA T.: 303-268-5057 oricaminingservices.com

Riverside, CA, USA T.: 800-309-8935 pcigases.com

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-279-3633 polarmobility.com

BOOTH 918

BOOTH 2712

BOOTH 1622

OSIsoft (Canada) ULC

Pex Industrial Piping Solutions

Polycorp Ltd.

Johannesburg, GT, South Africa T.: 27-11-494-6000 ncm.co.za BOOTH 1727

NGF Geomatics Inc. Ottawa, ON, Canada T.: 888-965-4477 ngfgeomatics.com BOOTH 428

Nitralife S.A. (PTY) Ltd. Bryanston, Gauteng, South Africa T.: 27-11-706-7884 nitralife.co.za BOOTH 426

Noise clipper (PTY) Ltd.

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-493-8393 OSIsoft.com BOOTH JF14

BOOTH 1419 BOOTH 2812

Polydeck Screen Corporation

Burlington, ON, Canada T.: 905-335-0952 outotec.com

Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems~Alternative Belting

Spartanburg, SC, USA T.: 864-579-4594 polydeckscreen.com

BOOTH 1024

BOOTH 1527

Surrey (Port Kells), BC, Canada T.: 604-513-4292 pacific-bit.com

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-232-0916 noisesolutions.com

Elora, ON, Canada T.: 519-846-2075 poly-corp.com

Outotec (Canada) Ltd.

Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa T.: 27-12-349-0700 noiseclipper.co.za

Noise Solutions Inc.

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 7804501155 QISUPPLY.COM

Pacific Bit of Canada Inc.

Langley, BC, Canada T.: 604-513-2368 phoenix-conveyor-belts.com BOOTH 302

PHOENIX Process Equipment Co. Louisville, KY, USA T.: 502-499-6198 dewater.com

BOOTH 1217

Polyplast Saint-Mathieu-D’Harricana, QC, Canada T.: 819-732-5489 polyplasts.com

BOOTH 2425

Nordex Explosives Ltd Kirkland Lake, ON, Canada T.: 705-642-3265 nordexexplosives.com BOOTH 926

Normet Canada Ltd. Lively, ON, Canada T.: 705-692-2800 normet.com BOOTH 1518

Norseman Structures Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-385-2888 norsemanstructures.com BOOTH 1023

North Fringe Industrial Technologies Inc. Nipawin, SK, Canada T.: 306-862-5900 northfringe.com BOOTH 1821

Northern Light Technologies Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 905-287-3552 nltInc.com

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 95

BOOTH 2700

BOOTH 1825

BOOTH 3110

BOOTH 626

Pompaction Inc.

Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University

Robar Industries Ltd.

RubberSource Inc.

Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-697-8600 pompaction.com

Kingston, ON, Canada T.: 613-533-2230 mine.queensu.ca

Surrey, BC, Canada T.: 604-591-8811 robarindustries.com

Cambridge, ON, Canada T.: 519-620-4440 rubbersource.ca

BOOTH 1116

BOOTH 2409

BOOTH 719

BOOTH 2406

PR Engineering Limited

R.A.S. Industries Ltd.

Rock-Tech

Rulmeca Canada

Oshawa, ON, Canada T.: 905-579-9721 prengineering.com

Surrey, BC, Canada T.: 604-560-8154 RASpulleys.com

Lively, ON, Canada T.: 705-692-7625 rock-tech.net

Wallaceburg, ON, Canada T.: 519-627-2277 rulmeca.ca

BOOTH 1322

BOOTH 1715

BOOTH 1815

BOOTH 1304

Praetorian Construction Management

R.D.H. Mining Equipment

Rockwell Automation

RungePinc.ockMinarco

Alban, ON, Canada T.: 705-857-2154 rdhminingequipment.com

Cambridge, ON, Canada T.: 519-244-5321 rockwellautomation.com

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-217-4981 rpmglobal.com

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-989-0289 praetoriancm.com

BOOTH 727

BOOTH 2217

BOOTH 3017

BOOTH 2126

Redaelli Tecna Spa

Rocscience Inc.

Prairie Machine & Parts Mfg. Partnership

Cologno Monzese, MI, Italy T.: 39-02-253071 redaelli.com/en

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-698-8217 rocscience.com

Russell Mineral Equipment

BOOTH 1404

BOOTH 2227

Renishaw (Canada) Limited

Roctest, Ltd.

BOOTH 821

Saint-Lambert, QC, Canada T.: 450-465-1114 roctest.com

S.Huot

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-933-4812 pmparts.com BOOTH 504

Precision Pulley & Idler Pella, IA, USA T.: 641-628-3115 ppipella.com

Manotick, ON, Canada T.: 613-692-0132 renishaw.com/smd

Toowoomba, QLD, Australia T.: 61-7-4698-9100 rmeGlobal.com

Quebec, QC, Canada T.: 418-681-0291 shuot.com

BOOTH 3006 BOOTH 2219

Rogers Electric Motor Service

BOOTH 306

Bathurst, NB, Canada T.: 855-218-6447 rogerselectric.ca

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-642-6110 safemap.com

ProcessBarron

RESPEC Consulting & Services

Pelham, AL, USA T.: 888-663-2028 processbarron.com

Rapid City, SD, USA T.: 605-394-6400 respec.com

BOOTH 2521

BOOTH 205

BOOTH 2122

BOOTH 2520

Rossi North America

Safety Whips

Procon Systems Inc.

Rexnord Canada Limited

Suwanee, GA, USA T.: 800-931-2044 rossi-group.com

Phoenix, AZ, USA T.: 604-560-5080 safetywhips.com

BOOTH 2114

BOOTH 2021

ROSTA inc.

Sandale Utility Products

BOOTH 2906

Delta, BC, Canada T.: 604-940-8757 proconsystems.com

Ville St. Laurent, QC, Canada T.: 514-337-2446 rexnord.com

BOOTH 311

ProMinent Fluid Controls

BOOTH 600

Guelph, ON, Canada T.: 888-709-9933 prominent.ca

Richwood Industries Inc. Huntington, WV, USA T.: 304-525-5436 richwood.com

BOOTH 2410

Provix

BOOTH 720

Alliston, ON, Canada T.: 705-434-0253 PROVIX.net

Rimex Supply Ltd. Surrey, BC, Canada T.: 604-888-0025 rimex.com

PTMSS/SRR Technology Demonstrations

BOOTH 2916

Capreol, ON, Canada T.: 705-824-1500 ptmss.ca

Burnaby, BC, Canada T.: 778-331-5500 rbauction.com

BOOTH 2027

BOOTH 1728

QIP Equipment Ltd.

RNE PUMPS AMERICAS Inc.

96 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Brantford, ON, Canada T.: 519-754-1366 sandale.ca

BOOTH 2900

Rousseau Metal

BOOTH 2505

St-Jean-Port-Joli, QC, Canada T.: 866-463-4270 rousseaumetal.com

Sandvik Mining Lively, ON, Canada T.: 905-816-4908 mining.sandvik.com

BOOTH 828

BOOTH 2716

Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-630-6820 qip.ca

Uxbridge, ON, Canada T.: 905-852-1929 rostaInc.com

SAFEmap International

Ritchie Bros.

Dartmouth, NS, Canada T.: 902-817-6011 rneamericas.com

RST Instruments Ltd.

BOOTH 601

Maple Ridge, BC, Canada T.: 604-540-1100 rstinstruments.com

Santasalo Cambridge, ON, Canada T.: 418-651-1414 santasalo.com

BOOTH 2925

RUBB Building Systems / AZTEC Group Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC, Canada T.: 450-813-6057 aztecInc.ca

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

BOOTH 1516 - 1523

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-787-9210 sasktrade.sk.ca

BOOTH 724

BOOTH 809

Scantech International Pty Ltd.

Shell Canada

Underwood, QLD, Australia T.: 61 7 3710 8406 scantech.com.au

Burlington, ON, Canada T.: 905-466-4948 shell.ca/lubricants BOOTH 2816

BOOTH 3114

Sherwin-Williams

Scheuerle Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH

Cleveland, OH, USA T.: 216-515-4361 sherwin-williams.com/protective

Pfedelbach, BW, Germany T.: 49-0-7941 /691 - 0 scheuerle.com BOOTH 1607

Schneider-Electric Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-693-6839 schneider-electric.com BOOTH 1629

Schurco Slurry Jacksonville, FL, USA T.: 904-356-6840 schurcoslurry.com BOOTH 2123

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Pullman, WA, USA T.: 509-334-5089 selInc.com BOOTH 704

Schwing Bioset Inc. Somerset, WI, USA T.: 715-247-3433 schwingbioset.com BOOTH 208

Sempertrans France Belting Technology Rawdon, QC, Canada T.: 514 212 3771 sempertrans.com BOOTH 1218

BOOTH 2125

SIEMAG TECBERG Inc. Milwaukee, WI, USA T.: 414-727-5728 siemag-tecberg.com

Oakville, ON, Canada T.: 416-272-2741 siemens.ca BOOTH 3012

Sika Canada Inc. Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-697-2610 can.sika.com BOOTH 1220

SIM-Cognibox Shawinigan, QC, Canada T.: 819-536-5653 cognibox.com BOOTH 1118

Simsmart Technologies Brossard, QC, Canada T.: 450-923-0400 simsmart.com BOOTH 611

Simson Maxwell Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 800-374-6766 simson-maxwell.com

Saint-Urbain-Premier, QC, Canada T.: 450-427-1440 best-corp.com

Dezhou, Shandong, China T.: 13910644347 sinomin.com

Bramelea, ON, Canada T.: 905-791-1553 sewcan.ca BOOTH 1722

Shaft Drillers International Mt. Morris, PA, USA T.: 304-599-5900 shaftdrillers.com

Nous avons choisi Air Canada comme transporteur officiel pour le congrès de l’ICM 2015. Pour les réservations en ligne, allez à www.aircanada.com et entrez le code de congrès GPDH7FF1 dans le moteur de recherche.

Siemens Canada Limited

BOOTH 3003

SEW-Eurodrive Co. of Canada Ltd.

We have appointed Air Canada as the official airline for the 2015 CIM Convention & Expo! For online reservations, go to www.aircanada.com and enter the convention code GPDH7FF1 in the search engine.

BOOTH 2917

Services Industriels BEST H2O Inc.

BOOTH 1901

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION | TRANSPORT AÉRIEN

Sinomin Rubber Group Co. Ltd.

BOOTH 2509

Six Safety Systems Inc. Cochrane, AB, Canada T.: 403-932-7955 sixsafetysystems.com BOOTH 615

SM-Cyclo Canada Oakville, ON, Canada T.: 905-469-1050 smcyclo.com

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION | HÉBERGEMENT Conference Direct is the official housing bureau for the CIM Convention. The online one-stop reservation central makes it seamless for you to reserve your room at the group rate. Space is limited so reserve early! Visit convention.cim.org, click on the Montreal drop down menu, then on Hotel Reservations and proceed. Details on piracy housing agencies, group reservations and wait lists are available on that web page. Conference Direct est le seul service officiel de réservation d’hôtel pour notre congrès. Ce service centralisé vous permettra de réserver votre chambre au tarif de groupe. Les chambres sont limitées, réservez tôt ! Reportez-vous à notre page Hébergement et réservations à convention.cim.org, sous l’onglet Montréal. Des détails relatifs aux agences de réservations, de réservations de groupes et de listes d’attente sont publiés sur cette page Web.

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 97

BOOTH 2019

BOOTH 3122

BOOTH 517

BOOTH 1200

SME - Society for Mining Metallurgy & Exploration

Spraying Systems Canada Ltd.

Syntron Material Handling LLC

Technosub

Englewood, CO, USA T.: 303-948-4204 smenet.org

Laval, QC, Canada T.: 514-448-0335 spray.com

Tupelo, MS, USA T.: 800-356-4898 syntronmh.com

BOOTH 1507

BOOTH 924

BOOTH 1216

Teck Resources Ltd.

SMS Equipment Inc.

Sprung Instant Structures Ltd.

Systemes BMH

Sparwood, BC, Canada T.: 250-425-6305 teck.com/careers

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-3300 technosub.net BOOTH JF06

Acheson, AB, Canada T.: 780-948-2235 smsequip.com

Aldersyde, AB, Canada T.: 403-601-2292 sprung.com

Boucherville, QC, Canada T.: 450-449-4770 bmhsystems.com

BOOTH 1324

SNC-Lavalin

BOOTH 2418

Takraf Canada Inc.

TECO-Westinghouse Motors (Canada) Inc.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-668-6800 snclavalin.com

SPX

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-252-8003 tenovagroup.com

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 800-661-4023 tecowestinghouse.ca

BOOTH 1308

BOOTH 1804

Rochester, NY, USA T.: 585-527-1658 spx.com

BOOTH 2909

BOOTH 1725

BOOTH 2108

SNF Canada Ltd.

BOOTH 416

Tank Connection

Tega Industries Limited

Trois-RiviĂ¨res, QC, Canada T.: 416-486-7853 snfcanada.com

SSAB

Parsons, KS, USA T.: 620-423-3010 tankconnection.com

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-523-4158 TEGAINDUSTRIES.COM

Delson, QC, Canada T.: 514-364-1752 ssab.com

BOOTH 2908

BOOTH JF12

BOOTH 722

Southwire Canada

BOOTH 3023

TDT Crews Inc.

Teledyne VariSystems

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 289-777-7557 southwire.ca

Suncast Polytech Inc.

Stoney Creek, ON, Canada T.: 905-592-9919 tdtcrews.com

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 403-272-0318 varisystems.com

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-448-1098 suncast.ca

BOOTH 1109

BOOTH 1103

BOOTH 805

SPI

BOOTH 2109

TE Connectivity

TEMA Isenmann, Inc.

Blainville, QC, Canada T.: 450-420-2012 spi-s.com

Superior Propane

Fuquay Varina, NC, USA T.: 800-327-6996 te.com

Lexington, KY, USA T.: 859-252-0613 temaisenmann.com

BOOTH 201

BOOTH 410

TerraSource Global

Calgary, AB, Canada T.: 877-873-7467 superiorpropane.com

BOOTH 1123

Split Engineering, LLC.

BOOTH 914

Tucson, AZ, USA T.: 520-327-3773 spliteng.com

Symboticware Inc.orporated

Tech/Pro Heavy Industrial Inc.

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 800-519-5496 symboticware.com

Dorval, QC, Canada T.: 514-633-1231 techproInc.ca

St. Louis, MO, USA T.: 618-641-6966 terrasource.com BOOTH 1327

TES The Employment Solution Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-426-0121 tes.net BOOTH JF08

The Mosaic Company Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-523-2847 mosaicco.com BOOTH 610

The Northern Miner

COME VISIT THE CIM MAGAZINE TEAM Booth 1915

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-442-5600 northernminer.com

FOR EVERYTHING MINING

98 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

BOOTH 1326

Thermo Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific Group) Tewksbury, MA, USA T.: 978-215-1421 thermoscientific.com/mining

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

BOOTH 922

BOOTH 421

BOOTH 2316

Thunderbird Mining Systems

Tube-Mac Piping Technologies Ltd.

Veolia Water Technologies

Redmond, WA, USA T.: 425-869-2727 tbirdmining.com

Stoney Creek, ON, Canada T.: 905-643-8823 tube-mac.com

BOOTH 1015

BOOTH 3009

Victaulic

Thyssen Mining

Two Crazy Ladies Inc.

Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-949-5929 thyssenmining.com

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-494-2244 twocrazyladies.com

Richmond Hill, ON, Canada T.: 905-884-7444 victaulic.com

BOOTH 401

BOOTH 200 - 407

Victoria Gold Corp

TMEIC

U.S & Foreign Commercial Service

Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-696-6610 vitgoldcorp.com

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-286-4846 veoliawaterstna.com BOOTH 511

BOOTH 3011

Salem, VA, USA T.: 540-283-2364 tmeic.com

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-908-3662 buyusa.gov/canada

BOOTH 2120

TOMRA Sorting, Inc.

BOOTH 405

Englewood, CO, USA T.: 303-626-7740 tomra.com/mining

UBC Mining Engineering Vancouver, BC, Canada T.: 604-822-2540 mining.ubc.ca

BOOTH 2721

Tonka Water

BOOTH 1318

Plymouth, MN, USA T.: 763-252-0066 tonkawater.com

Urecon Ltd. Calmar, AB, Canada T.: 780- 985-2466 urecon.com

BOOTH 1827

Tracks & Wheels Equipment Brokers Inc.

BOOTH JF13

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-566-5438 tracksandwheels.com

Houston, TX, USA T.: 281-770-3421 ushamartinus.com

BOOTH 609

BOOTH 619

Tramac Equipment Ltd.

V.J. Pamensky Canada Inc.

Laval, QC, Canada T.: 450-663-8122 tramac.com

North York, ON, Canada T.: 416-781-4617 pamensky.com

Usha Martin (UMAI)

BOOTH 210

VMAC Nanaimo, BC, Canada T.: 250-740-3200 vmacair.com BOOTH 1104

Voith Turbo Inc.

FREE FOR EXHIBITORS | GRATUIT POUR LES EXPOSANTS Did you know that an exhibitor benefits from all of the following: Six exhibitor badges

Access to the convention Plenary session Access to the convention Technical Program sessions

Wabi Iron & Steel Corp.

Access to Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Science Symposium (PTMSS) and Iron Ore Symposium

New Liskeard, ON, Canada T.: 705-647-4383 wabicorp.com

Access to the Ethics in Mining Symposium

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-670-3122 canada.voithturbo.com BOOTH 3001

BOOTH 209

Wajax - Composants Industriel Lachine, QC, Canada T.: 514-636-7200 wajaxindustriel.com BOOTH 2515

VIP invitations to distribute to your clients (value of $40 each) Access to Internet stations in the exhibition

BOOTH 2029

BOOTH 2907

Wajax Equipment

Transmin Pty Ltd.

Vallée

Malaga, WA, Australia T.: 61-8-9270-8555 transmin.com.au

St-Alban, QC, Canada T.: 418-268-8955 vallee.ca

Acheson, AB, Canada T.: 780-948-5487 wajaxequipment.com

BOOTH 623

BOOTH 2921

Wajax Power

Mobile devices charging station in main foyer

Transport Bellemare International

Valley Blades Limited

Edmonton, AB, Canada T.: 780-437-8200 wajaxpower.com

Access to the Joy Global Gala

BOOTH 909

Finger foods in the exhibition during the Opening Night Reception

BOOTH 1301

Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada T.: 450-638-5566 groupebellemare.com

Waterloo, ON, Canada T.: 519-885-5500 valleyblades.com

BOOTH 2309

Van der Graaf

Weir Minerals North America

Trimble Navigation

Brampton, ON, Canada T.: 905-793-8100 vandergraaf.com

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-813-8190 weirminerals.com

BOOTH 406

BOOTH 2903

BOOTH 622

VEGA Americas, Inc.

TS Manufacturing

Cincinnati, OH, USA T.: 513-272-7346 vega-americas.com

Wenco International Mining Systems Ltd.

BOOTH 3123

Westminster, CO, USA T.: 720-887-6100 trimble.com/mining

Lindsay, ON, Canada T.: 705-324-3762 tsman.com

Richmond, BC, Canada T.: 604-270-8277 wencomine.com

Listing and company profile in the official CIM Convention program and Expo! guide Priority booth reservation for the following year’s Expo!

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 99

BOOTH 422

BOOTH 706

BOOTH 604

BOOTH 624

West Rand Engineering (PTY) Ltd.

Westpro Machinery Inc.

WireCo WorldGroup

WSP Group

Vernon, BC, Canada T.: 250-549-6710 westpromachinery.com

Kansas City, MO, USA T.: 816-270-4826 wirecoworldgroup.com

Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-674-0119 wspgroup.com/en/WSP-Canada

BOOTH 424

BOOTH 429

BOOTH 1314

Wide Range Engineering CC

Wirtgen America

Xylem

Antioch, TN, USA T.: 615-501-0600 wirtgenamerica.com

Charlotte, NC, USA T.: 704-409-9750 xylemwatersolutions.com/ca

BOOTH 2319

BOOTH 2809

Wolseley Canada

Yaskawa Canada Inc.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-931-2900 hdpe.ca

Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-693-6770 yaskawa.com

Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa T.: 27-11-952-9800 wre.co.za BOOTH 2116

Westech Mills, WY, USA T.: 307-235-1591 wstch.com

Meadowdale, Germiston Gauteng, South Africa T.: 27-11-974-0852 wre-eng.com

BOOTH 1626

BOOTH 305

WesTech Engineering Inc.

WipWare Inc.

Salt Lake City, UT, USA T.: 801-265-1000 westech-Inc.com

North Bay, ON, Canada T.: 705-472-2664 wipware.com

BOOTH 2025

BOOTH 1305

Westlund Industrial

Wire Rope Industries Ltd.

Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-624-4575 westlundpvf.com

Pointe Claire, QC, Canada T.: 514-426-6442 wirerope.com

BOOTH 900

WorleyParsons Canada Mississauga, ON, Canada T.: 905-816-7100 worleyparsons.com

CIM EXPO! JOB FAIR | FOIRE DE L’EMPLOI DE L’EXPO! DE L’ICM As the industry continues to adapt to changing conditions, our recruiters understand and recognize all facets of the job search process. The need for skilled workers is ever apparent and the mining industry is still looking to hire. Prospective employees will meet and network with high-calibre recruiters and mining companies that are looking to fill the needs of the industry. Whether a new career is what you seek or a way to enhance your existing skill set, the Expo! Job Fair will be the first step in the right direction.

BOOTH JF03

Brunel Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-396-7890 brunelcanada.ca BOOTH JF04

Detour Gold Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-304-0800 detourgold.com BOOTH JF05

Agnico Eagle

Notre industrie s’adapte sans cesse à l’évolution des conditions du marché du travail. Il va donc sans dire que nos agents de recrutement comprennent et reconnaissent toutes les facettes du processus de recherche d’emploi. Le besoin de main-d’œuvre qualifiée est toujours criant et le secteur minier cherche encore à embaucher de nouveaux travailleurs.

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-847-8669 agnicoeagle.com

Dans le cadre de la Foire de l’emploi, les employés potentiels auront l’occasion de faire du réseautage ainsi que de rencontrer des agents de recrutement de haut niveau et des représentants de sociétés minières désireuses de mieux répondre aux besoins de l’industrie. Que vous envisagiez une nouvelle carrière ou que vous cherchiez un moyen d’approfondir vos compétences, la Foire de l’emploi de l’Expo! est un premier pas dans la bonne direction.

Sparwood, BC, Canada T.: 250-425-6305 teck.com/careers

100 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

BOOTH JF06

Teck Resources Ltd.

BOOTH JF07

Cameco Corporation Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-956-6215 cameco.com BOOTH JF08

The Mosaic Company

Jon Benjamin Photography

Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-523-2847 mosaicco.com BOOTH JF09

Goldcorp Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-363-1445 goldcorp.com

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

MINING SOCIAL MEDIA MINES ET MÉDIAS SOCIAUX Professionals are increasingly joining business social media networks to grow their own networks, position their brand and promote their value online. Learning which channel to join and how to tap into its potential can be crucial to growing your business, reaching new markets and getting instant feedback from customers and stakeholders. App sponsored by SMS Equipment Inc.

De plus en plus, les professionnels de l’industrie utilisent les réseaux sociaux d’affaires afin d’accroître leurs contacts, de positionner leurs marques et de promouvoir leurs valeurs en ligne. Savoir quels réseaux joindre et comment puiser dans son potentiel peut être crucial pour la croissance de votre entreprise, pour joindre de nouveaux marchés et pour obtenir une rétroaction instantanée des clients et des parties prenantes. Application commandité par SMS Equipment Inc.

www.facebook.com/CIMConvention

@AnnualCIM

Communicate, ask us questions, check out our photos and connect with the global mining community! Communiquez, posez-nous vos questions, visionnez nos photos et connectez avec la communauté minière mondiale!

The CIM Convention hashtag is #CIMTL15. Le mot-clic officiel du Congrès de l’ICM 2015 sera #CIMTL15.

www.linkedin.com/in/ cimconvention Join our growing global mining professional network. Joignez notre réseau croissant d’experts de l’industrie minière mondiale.

Join the CIM Convention conversation! Prenez part à la conversation du congrès !

The mobile app will be available in April. L’application mobile sera disponible en avril.

FLOOR PLAN | PLAN DU SITE

102 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

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DAILY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Saturday, May 9 8:00-10:00 10:00-16:00 13:00-17:00

Tuesday, May 12 7:00-8:30

CIM Executive Meeting CIM Council Meeting Registration

Sunday, May 10 7:30-13:00 8:00-17:00 8:00-20:00 8:00-20:00 9:00-12:00 13:00-14:00 13:30-16:00 15:00-20:00 15:00-20:00 16:00-20:00

Leadership Congress for CIM Officers Workshops Registration International Delegations Activities Guest Program: City Tour of Montreal CIM Annual General Meeting Guest Program: Flavours and Aromas of Old Montreal Business Class Lounge Presenters’ Preparation Room Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception

7:30-8:30 7:30-9:00 7:30-17:00 7:30-17:00 7:30-17:00 8:00-17:00 9:00-11:30 9:00-16:00 9:30-15:30 10:00-17:00 12:00-14:00 14:00-16:05

Breakfast for Monday’s Presenters and Session Chairs Knowledge Breakfast: Leadership is the New Safety CEO and Plenary Speakers’ Breakfast Registration Presenters’ Preparation Room Business Class Lounge International Delegations Activities Plenary Session: New Dimensions M4S – The Show on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials Guest Program: Grévin Museum and Lunch at La Guilde Culinaire The Expo! / CIM Job Fair / Student Poster Program Lunch at the Expo! Technical Program • • • • • • • •

15:30-17:00 18:00-19:00 19:00-23:00

8:00-17:00 8:30-16:05

• • • • • • • • •

9:00-16:00

Monday, May 11 7:00-8:30

7:30-17:00 7:30-17:00 7:30-17:00 8:00-12:00

Innovation – Present and Future Maintenance Engineering/ Underground Mining Environmental Paradigms Operational Excellence Geology Women in Mining Iron Ore Symposium Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium

Networking Cocktail Reception at the Expo! CIM Awards Gala Reception CIM Awards Gala

Breakfast for Tuesday’s Presenters and Session Chairs Registration Presenters’ Preparation Room Business Class Lounge Student Program: Mock Interview Session and Round Tables International Delegation Lounge Technical Program

9:00-15:00 10:00-17:00 12:00-14:00 12:00-14:00 15:30-17:00 16:30-19:00 17:00-19:00 20:00-00:00

M4S – The Show on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials Guest program: A Day in the Country & Traditional Sugar Shack The Expo! / CIM Job Fair / Student Poster Program Lunch at the Expo! Student-Industry Luncheon Networking Cocktail Reception at the Expo! Iron Ore Symposium Cocktail Reception Women in Mining and VIP Reception Joy Global Gala

Wednesday, May 13 7:00-8:30 7:30-14:00 7:30-14:00 7:30-14:00 8:30-12:00 8:30-12:10

Breakfast for Wednesday’s Presenters and Session Chairs Registration Presenters’ Preparation Room Business Class Lounge Special Session: Extractive Sector Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Technical Program • • • • • • • •

9:00-16:00 12:00-13:45 13:45-16:45 14:00-16:05

•

16:45-18:00

Innovation – Present and Future Maintenance Engineering/Underground Mining Operational Excellence Best Practices Women in Mining Iron Ore Symposium Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium Management & Finance Day

M4S – The Show on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials Management and Finance Day & Closing Lunch Technical Program: Management & Finance Day Technical Program •

104 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Innovation – Present and Future Maintenance Engineering/Underground Mining Environmental Paradigms West Africa Operational Excellence/Explosives and Blasting Geology Ethics in Mining Symposium Iron Ore Symposium Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium

Iron Ore Symposium Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium

Management and Finance Day Meet & Greet Reception

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

SOCIAL PROGRAM PROGRAMME SOCIAL SUNDAY, MAY 10 | DIMANCHE 10 MAI | 16:00-20:00

OPENING CEREMONY AND WELCOME RECEPTION | CÉRÉMONIE D’OUVERTURE ET RÉCEPTION DE BIENVENUE

Jon Benjamin Photography

Ceremony in Viger Hall Foyer prior to reception at the Expo! Included in the registration fee Cérémonie dans le foyer Viger avec la réception à l’Expo! Inclus dans l’inscription

MONDAY & TUESDAY, MAY 11-12 | LUNDI ET MARDI 11-12 MAI

Jon Benjamin Photography

NETWORKING AT THE EXPO! | RÉSEAUTAGE À L’EXPO! The lunch will be held from 12:00–14:00, the cocktail reception from 15:30–17:00. The lunch and one drink ticket per day are included with each delegate registration. Un billet de lunch et un billet donnant droit à une consommation durant la réception sont inclus par jour par délégué inscrit. Le lunch : 12 h–14 h ; la réception : 15 h 30–17 h. MONDAY, MAY 11 | LUNDI 11 MAI | Reception/Réception: 18:00 | Gala: 19:00

CIM AWARDS GALA | GALA DE L’ICM Salon 710 | $175 Reception | Réception

Gala

TUESDAY, MAY 12 | MARDI 12 MAI

WOMEN IN MINING RECEPTION | RÉCEPTION DES FEMMES EN EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE Jon Benjamin Photography

17:00-19:00 | Salon 511B | $35

VIP RECEPTION | RÉCEPTION VIP 17:00-19:00 | Salon 511B | By invitation

JOY GLOBAL GALA | GALA JOY GLOBAL Held from 20:00 to 00:00 in Salon 710, the gala is included in the delegate and exhibitor registrations Inclus dans les frais d’inscription des congressistes, le gala aura lieu de 20 h à minuit dans la salle 710.

Jon Benjamin Photography

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 | MERCREDI 13 MAI | 12:00-13:45 | Salon 511B

MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE DAY & CLOSING LUNCH | JOURNÉE GESTION ET FINANCES ET LUNCH DE CLÔTURE The lunch costs $75 for registered convention delegates; $375 for registrants of the lunch and day program. Le coût du programme de la journée et le lunch est de 375 $. Le lunch pour les délégués du congrès coûte seulement 75 $. March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 105

HORAIRE QUOTIDIEN DES ACTIVITÉS Le samedi 9 mai 8 h-10 h 10 h-16 h 13 h-17 h

Réunion de la direction de l’ICM Réunion du conseil d’administration de l’ICM Inscription

Le dimanche 10 mai 7 h 30-13 h 8 h-17 h 8 h-20 h 8 h-20 h 9 h-12 h 13 h-14 h 13 h 30-16 h 15 h-20 h 15 h-20 h 16 h-20 h

Congrès sur le leadership des membres de la direction de l’ICM Ateliers Inscription Activités de la délégation internationale Programme des invités : Tour de ville de Montréal Assemblée générale annuelle de l’ICM Programme des invités : Saveurs et arômes du Vieux-Montréal Salon VIP pour délégués Classe affaires Salle de préparation des conférenciers Cérémonie d’ouverture et réception de bienvenue

Le mardi 12 mai 7 h-8 h 30 7 h 30-17 h 7 h 30-17 h 7 h 30-17 h 8 h-12 h 8 h-17 h 8 h 30-16 h 05

• • • • • • • • •

9 h-16 h 9 h-15 h

Le lundi 11 mai 7 h-8 h 30 7 h 30-8 h 30 7 h 30-9 h 7 h 30-17 h 7 h 30-17 h 7 h 30-17 h 8 h-17 h 9 h-11 h 30 9 h-16 h 9 h 30-15 h 30 10 h-17 h 12 h-14 h 14 h-16 h 05

Déjeuner des conférenciers et présidents de sessions du lundi Déjeuner-Connaissances : Leadership rime avec sécurité Déjeuner des chefs de direction et conférenciers de la séance plénière Inscription Salle de préparation des conférenciers Salon VIP pour délégués Classe Affaires Activités de la délégation internationale Séance plénière : Nouvelles dimensions M4S-Salon sur les mines, minéraux, métaux et matériaux Programme des invités : Musée Grévin et déjeuner à La Guilde Culinaire L’Expo! / Foire de l’emploi de l’ICM / Affiches des étudiants Lunch à l’Expo! Programme technique • • • • • • • •

15 h 30-17 h 18 h-19 h 19 h-23 h

Tendances environnementales Innovation - Présent et avenir Femmes en exploitation minière Excellence opérationnelle Ingénierie, entretien et exploitation minière souterraine Géologie Symposium sur le minerai de fer Science minière planétaire et terrestre

Réception et réseautage à l’Expo! Réception précèdant le gala Gala et remise de prix de l’ICM

Déjeuner des conférenciers et présidents de sessions du mardi Inscription Salle de préparation des conférenciers Salon VIP pour délégués Classe affaires Programme pour étudiants : Pratiques d’entrevue et tables rondes Activités de la délégation internationale Programme technique :

10 h-17 h 12 h-14 h 12 h-14 h 15 h 30-17 h 16 h 30-19 h 17 h-19 h 20 h-00 h

M4S-Salon sur les mines, minéraux, métaux et matériaux Programme des invités : Journée champêtre et cabane à sucre L’Expo! / Foire de l’emploi de l’ICM / Affiches des étudiants Lunch à l’Expo! Lunch-réseautage étudiants et industrie Réception et réseautage à l’Expo! Réception des participants du Symposium sur le minerai de fer Réception Les femmes et les mines et réception VIP Gala Joy Global

Le mercredi 13 mai 7 h-8 h 30 7 h 30-14 h 7 h 30-14 h 7 h 30-14 h 8 h 30-12 h 8 h 30-12 h 10

Déjeuner des conférenciers et présidents de sessions du mercredi Inscription Salle de préparation des conférenciers Salon VIP pour délégués Classe affaires Session spéciale : Dialogue multipartite du secteur extractif Programme technique • • • • • • • •

9 h-16 h 12 h-13 h 45 13 h 45-16 h 45 14 h-16 h 05

Journée gestion et finances

Programme technique : • •

16 h 45–18 h

Innovation - Présent et avenir Femmes dans l’exploitation minière Excellence opérationnelle Les practiques exemplaires Ingénierie, entretien et exploitation minière souterraine Symposium sur le minerai de fer Science minière planétaire et terrestre Journée gestion finances de l’industrie minière

M4S-Salon sur les mines, minéraux, métaux et matériaux Lunch de clôture et de la Journée gestion et finances Programme technique : •

106 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Tendances environnementales Innovation - Présent et avenir Afrique de l’Ouest Ingénierie, entretien et exploitation minière souterraine Explosifs et méthodes Géologie Symposium sur le minerai de fer Symposium mines et éthique Science minière planétaire et terrestre

Symposium sur le minerai de fer Science minière planétaire et terrestre (PTMSS)

Réception pour les participants à la Journée gestion et finances

INNOVATION – PRESENT AND FUTURE INNOVATION – PRÉSENT ET AVENIR

ENVIRONMENTAL PARADIGMS TENDANCES ENVIRONNEMENTALES

WEST AFRICA/ MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE DAY L’AFRIQUE DE L’OUEST/ LA JOURNÉE GESTION ET FINANCE

“NEW DIMENSIONS” PLENARY – MODERATOR: JEAN LAPIERRE

MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING/ UNDERGROUND MINING L’INGÉNIERIE DE MAINTENANCE / L’EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE SOUTERRAINE

Paradigm Shift: Towards Zero Waste in Mining (Forum) Faire évoluer les mentalités : Vers l’élimination complète des déchets dans le secteur minier

Deep Mine Cooling Refroidissement de l’air dans les mines profondes

ESRS Plenary – Responsible Mining Séance plénière de la SERS – Exploitation minière responsable

Genomics (Mining) La génomique (Exploitation minière)

Plenary – Does the Canadian Mining Industry Care for Innovation? Séance plénière – L’industrie minière canadienne se préoccupet-elle de l’innovation?

Predictive Maintenance L’entretien préventif

Permitting La délivrance des permis

Mining Projects in West Africa, Part 1 Projets miniers en Afrique de l’Ouest, Première partie

Collaboration for Innovation: RDI (Forum) La collaboration pour l'innovation : RDI

Merits of Early Maintenance Les avantages de l’entretien préventif

Best Practices in Tailings Management Pratiques exemplaires de gestion des résidus miniers

Mining Projects in West Africa, Part 2 Projets miniers en Afrique de l’Ouest, Deuxième partie

Standards and Guidelines: Building Blocks for Innovation Normes et lignes directrices : Les éléments constitutifs pour l'innovation

Energy Management in Underground Mines La gestion de l’énergie dans les mines souterraines

Management of Water and Tailings La gestion de l’eau et des résidus

Mining Investments in West Africa (Panel) Les investissements miniers en Afrique de l’Ouest (Groupe de discussion)

Innovative Education (Forum) L'éducation novatrice

Mine Safety, Part 1 Sécurité dans les mines, 1ère partie

Innovation: Present and Future (Forum) Innovation : Présent et avenir

Mine Safety, Part 2 Sécurité dans les mines, 2ième partie

Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Dialogue avec les multiples parties prenantes

PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL PROGRAM GRILLE DU PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE

MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE DAY | JOURNÉE GESTION ET FINANCES

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 | LE MERCREDI 13 MAI

TUESDAY, MAY 12 | LE MARDI 12 MAI

MONDAY, MAY 11 | LE LUNDI 11 MAI

TECHNICAL PROGRAM

EXHIBITORS HAVE FULL ACCESS TO THE PLENARY & TECHNICAL PROGRAM SESSIONS

What are the Hidden Costs? Quels sont les coûts cachés?

Strategic Cost Issues Les enjeux stratégiques de la gestion des coûts

The Business Side of CSR L’aspect commercial de la RSE

Panel Discussion Groupe de discussion Closing Remarks Discours de clôture MES and ESRS Reception Réception de la SERS et l’ERS

PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE/ EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING L’ EXCELLENCE OPÉRATIONNELLE/ LES EXPLOSIFS ET LE DYNAMITAGE

GEOLOGY & BEST PRACTICES GÉOLOGIE ET LES PRATIQUES EXEMPLAIRES

WOMEN IN MINING/ ETHICS IN MINING SYMPOSIUM LES FEMMES EN EXPLOITATION MINIÈRE ET SYMPOSIUM SUR L’ÉTHIQUE DANS L’INDUSTRIE MINIÈRE

IRON ORE SYMPOSIUM SYMPOSIUM SUR LE MINERAI DE FER

PLANETARY AND TERRESTRIAL MINING SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM (PTMSS) SYMPOSIUM SUR LES SCIENCES MINIÈRES PLANÉTAIRES ET TERRESTRES

PLÉNIÈRE “NOUVELLES DIMENSIONS” – MODÉRATEUR : JEAN LAPIERRE

Opening Remarks, Keynotes and Scholarship Allocution, discours et bourses d’études

Explosives and Blasting – Groundbreaking Advancements Les explosifs et le dynamitage – Percées novatrices

Target Generation Initiatives: GIS and Geospatial Data Integration for Targeting on Exploration Projects Initiatives de génération de données : SIG et intégration des données géospatiales visant à cibler des projets d’exploration

Ethics of Risk Assessment Éthique de l’évaluation des risques

New Project Developments Nouveaux projets de développement

Legal and Policy Aspects juridiques et politiques

Mines of the Future Les mines de l’avenir

Innovations in Geochemistry and QA/QC Les innovations géochimiques – AQ/CQ

Company-Community Agreements and FPIC Accords entre les entreprises et les communautés et le consentement libre, préalable et éclairé (CPLE)

Mining Operations Opérations minières

Commercial Space Mining L’exploitation minière de l’espace commercial

Genomics (Environmental) La génomique (Environnementale)

Geological 3D Modeling for Resources and Reserve Estimation La modélisation de la géologie en 3D et l’estimation des ressources et des réserves minérales

Issues in Mining and Ethics Les enjeux de l’industrie minière et de l’éthique

Concentration and Pelletizing of Iron Ore Concentration et bouletage du minerai de fer

Mission Concepts Les concepts des missions

Leading Organizational Change in Turbulent Times Diriger les changements organisationnels dans des temps tumultueux

Engineering Management Practices Les pratiques de gestion en ingénierie

Women as Executives Les femmes dans des rôles de direction

Environment and Sustainable Development L’environnement et le développement durable

Resource Prospecting La prospection des ressources

Asset Life Cycle Management Le cycle de vie des actifs

Best Practices Les pratiques exemplaires

Women in Science and Technology Le rôle des femmes dans les Sciences et les technologies

Plenary Session Séance plénière

Mining/Drilling/ Excavation Exploitation minière/ Forage/Excavation

Innovation in Processing and Pelletizing of Iron Ore L’innovation dans le traitement et le bouletage du minerai

Processing Traitement des minerais

LES EXPOSANTS ONT ACCÈS À L’INTÉGRALITÉ DES SÉANCES PLÉNIÈRES ET DES SESSIONS DÉDIÉES AU PROGRAMME TECHNIQUE

Jon Benjamin Photography

Review of Iron Resources L’analyse des ressources ferreuses

Jon Benjamin Photography

Women on Boards Le rôle des femmes dans les conseils d’administration

Jon Benjamin Photography

AEM – Operational Excellence AEM - L’excellence opérationnelle

From Core Shack to Database: Data Collection & Management of Exploration Projects Du carottage aux bases de données : la collecte des données et la gestion des projets d’exploration

Photos by Jon Benjamin Photography

PLENARY | PLÉNIÈRE MONDAY MAY 11 | LE LUNDI 11 MAI | 9:00-11:30

Jon Benjamin Photography

New dimensions | Nouvelles dimensions

110 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

The Plenary Session of the 2015 CIM Convention is intended to bring focus to and initiate a dialogue around the conference theme of “New Dimensions.” Leaders from all aspects of mining and some from unexpected tangential sectors are brought together in these thoughtprovoking discussions. Moderator Jean Lapierre is a bilingual Quebec media personality known for his outspokenness, independent thinking, and intimate knowledge of politics. He is completely plugged into what is happening at the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. La séance plénière du congrès annuel de l’ICM vise à polariser l’attention et à orienter le dialogue sur le thème spécifique de la conférence « Nouvelles dimensions. » Il est impératif pour le congrès ICM 2015 de mobiliser des leaders d’opinion pour le group d’experts qui sont parvenus à joindre diverses parties prenantes afin de partager les dimensions émergentes de l’exploitation minière ou de les attirer vers ce secteur d’activité. Modérateur Jean Lapierre est une personnalité québécoise reconnue et appréciée du public pour son franc-parler, ses expressions savoureuses, son indépendance d’esprit et sa connaissance intime des rouages politiques. Orateur recherché et homme de terrain, Jean Lapierre entretient un réseau de contacts inégalé à travers le Canada. Accroc au BlackBerry, il reste branché sur le pouls de tout ce qui se passe autant en politique fédérale, provinciale que municipale.

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

CONFIRMED PANELISTS | PANÉLISTES CONFIRMÉS ANDREW SCOTT Senior Director, Mining Information Technology, Barrick Gold Andrew Scott is tasked with the scope of providing technical information systems and support for the entire mining process, which includes everything from exploration, feasibility, construction, production, reconciliation, through mine closure. Understanding that a technical information system is critical to core mining business functions, enabling the management and/or collection of observations and measurements, Andrew and his team focus on: optimal data collection, management and use; data interchange standardization; foundation technology selection and implementation; automation opportunities and autonomous technologies; technical training and skills development; and support (application, vendor relationship management, stakeholder management). Andrew considers himself a technologist with more than 28 years of experience in exploration and mining. KRISTAN STRAUB Vice-President, Raglan Mine Kristan H. Straub was appointed Vice-President of Raglan Mine in February 2014. He has more than 15 years of combined experience in geology, operations and projects, and is fluent in English, French and Spanish.

GREG LILLEYMAN Group Executive, Technology and Innovation, Rio Tinto, Australia Greg Lilleyman was appointed Group Executive, Technology & Innovation in January 2014. He joined the Rio Tinto Group in 1990 and has held a number of operational roles across the Pilbara and Hunter Valley, as well as in Canada with both the iron ore and energy businesses. In 2011 he was appointed President Pilbara Operations for Rio Tinto Iron Ore, and in August 2013 he assumed the role of Head of Productivity Improvement with Technology & Innovation. JEAN ROBITAILLE Senior Vice-President, Business Strategy & Technical Services, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited Jean Robitaille is Senior VicePresident, Business Strategy & Technical Services, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited since 2014. Prior to this nomination, he served the company in various capacities for more than 25 years. During that time, he was appointed in senior executive roles in Technical Services & Project Development and in Metallurgy & Marketing. He has also worked at the operational level as mill superintendent and metallurgist, and in expansion projects as project manager.

He joined Raglan Mine in February 2010 as Mining Geology Superintendent. During the same year, Kristan was appointed Geology and Exploration Manager. He was subsequently appointed Director of Mining Operations and Technical Services in August 2012. Since joining Falconbridge in 2001, Kristan has held various positions involving mineral exploration, projects, operations and management. Over the years, he has worked at Sudbury (Ontario), Kabanga (Tanzania), Collahuasi (Chile), and Timmins (Ontario).

Note : La séance plénière offrira la traduction simultanée de l’anglais au français.

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 111

Photos by Jon Benjamin Photography

CIM EXPO! PAVILIONS THAT SHINE! L’EXPO! DE L’ICM : DES PAVILLONS QUI EN METTENT PLEIN LA VUE ! The 2015 Expo! will play host to two provincial pavilions (Saskatchewan and Quebec) and four international pavilions (U.S., South Africa, China, and France), as well as a Rock Mechanics pavilion (ISRM) and robotic product demonstrations at the Planetary & Terrestrial Mining Sciences Symposium (PTMSS). Come and meet movers and shakers from around the world and from our own backyard, who will be showcasing their latest equipment, technology, processes and services. Don’t miss this great opportunity to mingle with our industry’s leading suppliers, contractors and consultants.

QUEBEC BOOTH 1226

48e Nord International Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-762-4923 48inter.com BOOTH 1223

L’Expo! 2015 sera l’hôte de deux pavillons provinciaux (Saskatchewan et Québec) et de quatre pavillons internationaux (États-Unis, Afrique du Sud, Chine et France). On y retrouvera aussi un pavillon sur la mécanique des roches (dans le cadre du congrès de la Société internationale de mécanique des roches) et des démonstrations d’un produit robotique à l’occasion du symposium sur les sciences minières planétaires et terrestres. Venez rencontrer des personnalités dynamiques de chez nous et d’ailleurs qui vous présenteront de l’équipement, des technologies, des procédés et des services de pointe. Ne ratez pas cette occasion formidable d’échanger avec des fournisseurs, des entrepreneurs et des consultants jouant un rôle de premier plan dans notre industrie.

BOOTH 1219

BOOTH 1209

BOOTH 1129

Developpement Economique d'Amos

EBC-Northec-DBF

G+ Industrial Plastics

Brossard, QC, Canada T.: 450 444-9333 ebcinc.com

Evain, QC, Canada T.: 819-768-8888 plastiquesgplus.com

Amos, QC, Canada T.: 819-218-0122 ville.amos.qc.ca

BOOTH 1227

BOOTH 1215

BOOTH 1221

Euclid Chemical

Dynamik

St-Hubert, QC, Canada T.: 514-208-4346 euclidchemical.com

Groupe CastechPlessitech

Adelard Soucy (1975) Inc/ Soucy Industriel

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-762-6200 dynamik.com

Rivière-du-Loup, QC, Canada T.: 418-862-2355 adelardsoucy.com

BOOTH 1224

Flairbase Inc.

BOOTH 1211

Dynamitage Castonguay Ltee

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-695-0352 flairbase.com

InnovExplo Inc.

112 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

Thetford-Mines, QC, Canada T.: 613-521-2345 castechinc.com

BOOTH 1204

Val-d'Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-825-4095 castonguay.ca

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

Val-d'Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-874-0447 innovexplo.com

BOOTH 1222

BOOTH 1216

K.N. Equipements

Systemes BMH

UNITED STATES

BOOTH 2216

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-4919 kninc.ca

Boucherville, QC, Canada T.: 450-449-4770 bmhsystems.com

BOOTH 200 - 407

Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-361-3191 dgigeoscience.com

BOOTH 1229

BOOTH 1200

Technosub

Val-d'Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-825-4000 fournier-fils.com

Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-3300 technosub.net

Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-908-3662 buyusa.gov/canada

BOOTH 2215

L. Fournier & Fils inc.

SASKATCHEWAN

BOOTH 1207

CHINA

Kingston, ON, Canada T.: 613-548-8287 esgsolutions.com

Les chaussures STC Anjou, QC, Canada T.: 888-686-1286 stcfootwear.com BOOTH 1205

Les Forages L.B.M. Inc. Victoriaville, QC, Canada T.: 819-758-7883 lesforageslbm.com BOOTH 1225

M2S Electronique Ltee. Quebec, QC, Canada T.: 418-842-1312 m2s.ca BOOTH 1201

Machines Roger International Inc. Val-d'Or, QC, Canada T.: 819-825-4657 machines-roger.ca BOOTH 1214

Manufacture Adria Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-5881 adria-mfg.ca BOOTH 1206

Mecanicad Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada T.: 819-797-2009 mecanicad.ca BOOTH 1217

Polyplast Saint-Mathieu-D'Harricana, QC, Canada T.: 819-732-5489 polyplasts.com BOOTH 1218

Services Industriels BEST H2O Inc. Saint-Urbain-Premier, QC, Canada T.: 450-427-1440 best-corp.com BOOTH 1220

SIM-Cognibox Shawinigan, QC, Canada T.: 819-536-5653 cognibox.com

U.S & Foreign Commercial Service

BOOTH 1514

BOOTH 2203

Beijing JointUnion Exhibition Beijing, Haidian, China T.: 86-10-88111462 beijingjointunion.itrademarket.com BOOTH 2202

CCPIT Machinery Sub-Council Beijing, , China T.: 86-10-68595539 chinamachine.org.cn

FRANCE BOOTH 520

BUSINESS France Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-670-3977 ubifrance.com

Canada North Environmental Limited Partnership Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-652-4432 cannorth.com BOOTH 1515

Clifton Associates Ltd. Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-721-7611 clifton.ca BOOTH 1522

Contango Strategies Ltd. Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-978-3111 contangostrategies.com BOOTH 1521

Diversified Construction & Maintenance

SOUTH AFRICA

Stony Beach, SK, Canada T.: 306-345-2090 dcm4hire.com

BOOTH 428

BOOTH 1520

NITRALIFE S.A. (PTY) LTD Bryanston, Gauteng South Africa T.: 27-11-706-7884 nitralife.co.za

Dyna Industrial Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-359-7088 dynaindustrial.com BOOTH 1517

BOOTH 426

NOISE CLIPPER (PTY) LTD Pretoria, Gauteng South Africa T.: 27-12-349-0700 noiseclipper.co.za

Government of Saskatchewan Regina, SK, Canada T.: 306-787-5578 saskatchewan.ca/invest BOOTH 1518

Norseman Structures

BOOTH 422

WEST RAND ENGINEERING (PTY) LTD Krugersdorp, Gauteng South Africa T.: 27-11-952-9800 wre.co.za

Saskatoon, SK, Canada T.: 306-385-2888 norsemanstructures.com

ROCK MECHANICS BOOTH 2221

3GSM GmbH

BOOTH 424

WIDE RANGE ENGINEERING CC Meadowdale, Germiston Gauteng, South Africa T.: 27-11-974-0852 wre-eng.com

Graz, Austria T.: 43-316-464744-0 3gsm.at BOOTH 2224

CR Mining Equipment Frisco, TX, USA T.: 469-400-2314 cqmsrazer.com

CONVENTION.CIM.ORG

DGI Geoscience

Engineering Seismology Group Canada Inc. (ESG)

BOOTH 2222

Hoskin Scientific Montreal, QC, Canada T.: 514-735-5267 hoskin.ca BOOTH 2220

Itasca Consulting Group Inc. Minneapolis, MN, USA T.: 612-371-4711 itascacg.com BOOTH 2225

MTS Systems Corporation Eden Prairie, MN, USA T.: 952-937-4454 mts.com BOOTH 2218

New Concept Mining Johannesburg, GT, South Africa T.: 27-11-494-6000 ncm.co.za BOOTH 2223

Plaxis Americas LLC Houston, TX, USA T.: 650-804-4729 plaxis.nl BOOTH 2219

RESPEC Consulting & Services Rapid City, SD, USA T.: 605-394-6400 respec.com BOOTH 2217

Rocscience Inc Toronto, ON, Canada T.: 416-698-8217 rocscience.com BOOTH 2227

Roctest Ltd. Saint-Lambert, QC, Canada T.: 450-465-1114 roctest.com

PTMSS BOOTH 2716

PTMSS/SRR Technology Demonstrations Sudbury, ON, Canada T.: 705-521-8324 norcat.org

March/April â&#x20AC;˘ Mars/Avril 2015 | 113

SPONSORS | COMMANDITAIRES PLATINUM | PLATINE

DIAMOND | DIAMANT

GOLD | OR

SILVER | ARGENT

COPPER | CUIVRE

FRIENDS | AMIS

Assurance | Accounting | Tax | Advisory

TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS

CIM

journal

Excerpts taken from abstracts in CIM Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1. To subscribe, to submit a paper or to be a peer reviewer—www.cim.org

Co-extraction of coal and methane H. Guo, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; L. Yuan, Huainan Mining Group Co. Ltd., Huainan, Anhui, China; Y. P. Liang, Q. D. Qu, J. Qin, S. Xue, and J. Xie, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

ABSTRACT This paper presents key outcomes of a major Asia-Pacific Partnership project between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and Huainan Mining Industry Group Co. Ltd. to develop and demonstrate advanced technologies at Pansan mine, Huainan, China. A comprehensive approach assessed fundamental strata and coal seam methane conditions during mining and optimized mining sequences and coal mine methane capture systems. The project demonstrated a practical approach and procedures for advanced coal and methane co-extraction systems, improved mining safety and efficiency, increased methane capture and use, and reduced fugitive methane emissions.

RÉSUMÉ Le présent article donne les principaux résultats d’un grand projet de partenariat Asie-Pacifique entre le CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) [Organisation de recherche scientifique et industrielle du Commonwealth australien] et le Huainan Mining Industry Group Co. Ltd. ; ce projet cherche à développer et à démontrer des technologies avancées à la mine Pansan, à Huainan, en Chine. Une perspective globale a évalué les conditions fondamentales des strates et du méthane dans les couches de charbon durant l’exploitation et a optimisé les séquences d’extraction et les systèmes de captage du méthane dans les mines de charbon. Le projet a permis de démontrer une approche pratique et des procédures pour des systèmes avancés d’extraction conjointe du charbon et du méthane, pour améliorer la sécurité et l’efficacité minières, accroître le captage et l’utilisation du méthane et réduire les émissions fugitives de méthane.

History of electrolytic cobalt refining at Vale Canada (Inco) B. R. Conard, BRConard Consulting Inc., Oakville, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT Cobalt refining at Vale Canada (previously known as Inco) has been associated with Ni production. Because certain compounds of both metals carry risks for adverse health endpoints by inhalation exposure, it is critical to understand the aerosol concentrations of specific substances and the metallurgical processes through which they enter the air. Vale Canada has therefore decided to describe the histories of its Ni-related operations and to report industrial hygiene measurements when available. This paper describes electrolytic Co operations carried out at Port Colborne, Ontario (1954– 1966), and provides aerosol measurements (1995–2008) for current Co electrowinning operations.

RÉSUMÉ L’affinage du cobalt chez Vale Canada (anciennement Inco) a été associé à la production de nickel. Puisque certains composés de ces deux métaux comportent des risques d’effets néfastes pour la santé par exposition à l’inhalation, il est essentiel de comprendre les concentrations en aérosol des substances spécifiques ainsi que les procédés métallurgiques par lesquels ils entrent dans l’air. Vale Canada a donc décidé de décrire les historiques de ses opérations liées au nickel et de divulguer les mesures d’hygiène industrielle lorsqu’elles sont disponibles. Le présent article décrit les opérations électrolytiques effectuées sur le Co à Port Colborne, Ontario (1954–1966), et fournit des mesures de la teneur en aérosol (1995–2008) pour l’extraction électrolytique actuelle du Co.

Prospects for renewable energy systems in the mining industry B. Fleet, Ryerson University and Fleetec Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada; A. Davidse, Deloitte Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada; R. DasGupta and S. Hon, Electrovaya Corp., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; J. Li, A. Pringle, and C. Searcy, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT The mining industry is facing serious long- and short-term challenges relating to uncertain commodity prices, environmental pressures, and margin compression due to rising energy costs. Energy issues, formerly treated as an operating cost, are changing as executives search for longer term solutions to deal with uncertain fossil fuel prices and greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, mining executives are increasingly willing to consider introducing a proportion of renewable energy (RE) systems into the mine energy mix. This paper examines how RE can be successfully integrated at mine sites, as well as some of the benefits and barriers to their wider adoption.

RÉSUMÉ L’industrie minière fait face à de sérieux défis, à long et à court terme, en raison de l’incertitude des prix des matières premières, des pressions environnementales et des compressions de la marge bénéficiaire dues à la hausse des coûts de l’énergie. Les questions énergétiques, auparavant considérées comme un coût d’exploitation, changent alors que les cadres cherchent des solutions à plus long terme afin de prendre des mesures pour contrer les prix incertains des combustibles fossiles et les émissions des gaz à effet de serre. C’est pourquoi les cadres miniers sont de plus en plus disposés à considérer l’introduction d’une proportion de systèmes d’énergie renouvelable dans l’équation énergétique de la mine. Le présent article traite de la manière dont les énergies renouvelables peuvent être introduites avec succès aux sites miniers ainsi que quelques-uns des avantages et des barrières à leur application à une plus grande échelle. March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 115

An Introduction to Cutoff Grade: Theory and Practice in Open Pit and Underground Mines (with a new section on blending optimization strategy) 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, USA • DATE September 9-11, 2015 • LOCATION Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Geostatistical Mineral Resource 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, Newmont Mining Corp., Denver; Jean-Michel Rendu, JMR Consultants, USA; Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada; and Guy Desharnais, SGS Canada Inc., Canada • DATE September 14-18, 2015 • LOCATION Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Strategic Risk Management in Mine Design and Production Scheduling: Generating Optimal Mine Plans Given Uncertainty • Find out how to manage and minimise risks and produce optimal pit designs with strategic mine planning processes and the next generation optimisation methods. • Discover how new developments will help you capture the “upside potential” in mine designs and minimise “downside risks” as well as increase cash flows through the effect of the mining sequence and “risk blending”. • Explore real-world examples and participate in hands-on computer sessions that show how to increase project value by employing new riskbased (stochastic) optimisation models. • Understand and learn about the new stochastic mine planning optimisation framework and its contribution to sustainable utilisation of mineral resources. • Discover new developments in optimizing mining complexes and mineral value chains. INSTRUCTORS Matt LaBonte, Minemax, Denver, USA; and Roussos Dimitrakopoulos, McGill University, Canada • DATE September 21-23, 2015 • LOCATION Montreal, Quebec, Canada

TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS

canadian metallurgical quarterly

Excerpts taken from abstracts in CMQ, Vol. 53, No. 1. To subscribe – www.cmq-online.ca

Freeze lining formation in continuous converting calcium ferrite slags – I J. Jansson, P. Taskinen, and M. Kaskiala, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, Esbo, Finland

ABSTRACT The initial freeze-lining growth rate in calcium ferrite slags at copper saturation is high and comparable to iron silicate slags. The entire freeze-lining layer is crystalline, from the cold end to its hot-face in contact with the molten slag. Industrial copper converting slags from a continuous flash converting furnace, processing solid high-grade matte to blister copper, generate a thin calcium sulphate bonding layer against the water-cooled metal surface during the very first minutes of the slag-to-cooling element contact. The rare solidification behaviour was observed using the water-cooled probe technique in rotating MgO crucibles, at slag temperatures of 1,325 °C when liquidus temperature of the flash converting slag was estimated to locate at about 1,245 °C. The body of the freeze lining is mostly composed of magnetite, various mixed calcium–copper ferrites and delafossite embedded in an intergranular phase of metallic copper and some copper oxide. The arsenic oxides dissolved in the slag are precipitated as solid calcium arsenates in the freeze lining.

RÉSUMÉ La vitesse initiale de croissance du revêtement de gel des scories de ferrite de calcium saturées en cuivre est élevée et comparable à celle des scories de silicate de fer. Toute la couche du revêtement de gel est cristalline, de l’extrémité froide jusqu’à sa face chaude en contact avec la scorie fondue. Les scories industrielles de cémentation de cuivre d’un four éclair de cémentation en continu, transformant une matte solide de haute qualité en un cuivre ampoulé, engendrent une mince couche de liaison de sulphate de calcium contre la surface de métal refroidie à l’eau lors des toutes premières minutes du contact de la scorie avec l’élément de refroidissement. On a observé ce comportement rare de solidification en utilisant la technique de la sonde refroidie à l’eau dans des creusets de MgO en rotation. La température de la scorie était de 1 325 °C alors que la température de liquidus de la scorie de cémentation éclair était estimée à environ 1 245 °C. Le corps du revêtement de gel est composé principalement de magnétite, de diverses ferrites mélangées de calcium et cuivre et de délafossite, qui sont incluses dans une phase intergranulaire de cuivre métallique et d’un peu d’oxyde de cuivre. Les oxydes d’arsenic dissous dans la scorie sont précipités dans le revêtement de gel sous forme d’arséniates solides de calcium.

Freeze lining formation in continuous converting calcium ferrite slags – II J. Jansson, P. Taskinen, and M. Kaskiala, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, Esbo, Finland

ABSTRACT The heat transfer properties of freeze linings generated in laboratory conditions, by industrial calcium ferrite slags from a continuous copper matte flash converting furnace, have been studied in situ in the molten slag using a water cooled probe technique. The measured heat conductivity of the freeze lining formed, estimated from direct measurements in steady state conditions, was 8.0±1.5 W m−1 K−1. The obtained heat conductivity of the freeze lining is 50–100% higher than that of the iron silicate slag freeze linings. The calcium ferrite slag forms a fully crystalline freeze lining. Various ferrites and metallic copper develop the observed high heat conductivity when copper precipitated from the slag during solidification fills the intergranular cavities of the ferrite crystals tightly in forming the freeze lining layer.

RÉSUMÉ On a étudié les propriétés de transfert de chaleur de revêtements de gel engendrés en laboratoire par des scories industrielles de ferrite de calcium, à partir d’un four éclair en continu de cémentation de matte de cuivre, dans la scorie fondue en utilisant la technique du capteur refroidi à l’eau. La conductibilité thermique mesurée du revêtement de gel formé, estimée par des mesures directes en conditions de régime permanent, était de 8,0±1,5 W m−1 K− 1. La conductibilité thermique obtenue du revêtement de gel est de 50 à 100 % plus élevée que celle des revêtements de gel de scorie de silicate de fer. La scorie de ferrite de calcium forme un revêtement de gel entièrement cristallin. Les différentes ferrites et le cuivre métallique développent la conductibilité thermique élevée observée lorsque le cuivre précipité à partir de la scorie pendant la solidification remplit hermétiquement les cavités intergranulaires des cristaux de ferrite dans la couche de revêtement de gel en formation.

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 117

TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS

canadian metallurgical quarterly

Excerpts taken from abstracts in CMQ, Vol. 53, No. 1. To subscribe – www.cmq-online.ca

Kinetic analysis of silicothermic process under flowing argon atmosphere W. Wulandari, G. A. Brooks, M. A. Rhamdhani, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia; and B.J. Monaghan, School of Mechanical Materials and Mechatronics Engineering and Blue Scope Steel Metallurgy Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

ABSTRACT The Pidgeon process, a silicothermic reduction of calcined dolomite under vacuum, is the dominant process to make magnesium metal. Experimental data from Morsi et al. were utilised for kinetics analysis of silicothermic reduction of calcined dolomite under argon atmosphere. A number of kinetic models were assessed to evaluate the rate-controlling step in the process. The results suggest that the reaction is controlled by the solidstate diffusion of reactants with the Jander and Ginstling–Brounshtein model providing the best representation of the process kinetics. Mass transfer effects of magnesium vapour from the surface to the bulk gas phase was also analysed. These results suggest that gas–film mass transfer is not the limiting step of the kinetics. Pore diffusion through briquettes is postulated to have some effect on the kinetics but solid-state diffusion is the major ratelimiting step.

RÉSUMÉ Le procédé Pidgeon, une réduction silicothermique sous vide de dolomie calcinée, est le procédé dominant de production de magnésium métallique. On a utilisé les données expérimentales de Morsi et al pour l’analyse cinétique de la réduction silicothermique de dolomie calcinée sous une atmosphère d’argon. On a estimé un certain nombre de modèles cinétiques afin d’évaluer l’étape du procédé cinétiquement limitante. Les résultats suggèrent que la diffusion à l’état solide des réactants contrôle la réaction, le modèle de Jander et Ginstling-Brounshtein fournissant la meilleure représentation de la cinétique du procédé. On a également analysé les effets du transfert massique de la vapeur de magnésium de la surface vers le cœur de la phase gazeuse. Ces résultats suggèrent que le transfert de masse gaz-film n’est pas l’étape limitante de la cinétique. On postule que la diffusion par pore à travers les briquettes a un certain effet sur la cinétique mais la diffusion à l’état solide est l’étape majeure cinétiquement limitante.

Reducibility of nickeliferous limonitic laterite ore from Central Anatolia S. Pournaderi, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey; E. Keskinkılıç, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Atılım University, Incek, Ankara, Turkey; A. Geveci and Y. A. Topkaya, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

ABSTRACT Limonitic nickel laterite from Sivrihisar reserve in Turkey was reduced at 700–1,100 °C by the addition of 5.74, 8.61 and 11.48 wt-% coal under an argon atmosphere. The run-of-mine ore and the reduced samples were studied using X-ray diffraction. The metallisation of Fe was found to be limited up to 900 °C, but increased rapidly at higher temperatures. The metallisation of Ni and Co increased when the temperature was increased from 700 to 800 °C, almost leveled off up to 900 °C and then increased up to 1,100 °C. The results also showed that increased coal additions did not affect Fe metallisation up to 900 °C. At 1,000 °C the metallisation of Fe became slightly better, but its effect was more pronounced at 1,100 °C. The increased coal addition affected the nickel reduction equally at all temperatures, while it had no effect on the metallisation of Co.

118 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

RÉSUMÉ La réserve de nickel limnétique en Turquie a été réduit à 7001 100 ° C par l’addition de 5,74, 8,61 and 11,48 wt-% de charbon sous atmosphère d’argon. Le minerai et les échantillons réduits ont été étudiés par DRX. La métallisation de Fe a été jugée limitée à 900 °C, mais elle a augmenté rapidement à des températures plus élevées. La métallisation de Ni et Co a augmenté lorsque la température a été augmentée de 700 à 800 °C, presque stabilisé jusqu’à 900 °C puis 1 100 °C. Les résultats ont également montré que l’augmentation des ajouts de charbon n’a pas affecté la métallisation de Fe jusqu’à 900 °C. A 1 000 °C, la métallisation de Fe s’est un peu ameliorée, mais son effet était plus prononcé à 1 100 °C. L’augmentation du taux de charbon a affecté une constante réduction de nickel à toutes les températures, alors qu’il n’a eu aucun effet sur la métallisation de Co.

TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS

canadian metallurgical quarterly

Excerpts taken from abstracts in CMQ, Vol. 53, No. 1. To subscribe – www.cmq-online.ca

Diffusion induced isothermal solidification during transient liquid phase bonding of cast IN718 superalloy M. Pouranvari, A. Ekrami, and A. H. Kokabi, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

ABSTRACT In transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding for commercial applications, one of the important key parameters is the holding time required for complete isothermal solidification tIS, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a proper bond microstructure. The objective of the study is to analyse the isothermal solidification kinetics during TLP bonding of cast IN718 nickel based superalloy. Experiments for TLP bonding were carried out using a Ni–7Cr–4.5Si–3Fe–3.2B (wt-%) amorphous interlayer at several bonding temperatures (1,273–1,373 K). The time required to obtain TLP joints free from centreline eutectic microconstituents was experimentally determined. Considering the solidification behaviour of residual liquid, tIS could be predicted by a mathematical solution of the time dependent diffusion equation based on Fick’s second law.

RÉSUMÉ Dans la brasure en phase liquide transitoire (TLP) pour applications commerciales, l’un des paramètres clés importants est le temps de maintien requis pour la solidification isotherme complète (tIS), qui est une condition requise pour l’obtention d’une microstructure adéquate du lien. L’objectif de cette étude est d’analyser la cinétique de la solidification isotherme lors de la brasure TLP du superalliage coulé à base de nickel, IN718. On a effectué les expériences de brasage de TLP en utilisant une couche de liaison amorphe de Ni–7Cr–4,5Si–3Fe–3,2B (% en poids) à plusieurs températures de brasage (1 273–1 373 K). On a déterminé expérimentalement le temps requis pour l’obtention de joints TLP libres de micro constituants eutectiques à la ligne centrale. En considérant le comportement de solidification du liquide résiduel, on pouvait prédire tIS au moyen d’une solution mathématique de l’équation de diffusion dépendante du temps basée sur la seconde loi de Fick.

Estimation of porosity and shrinkage in a cast eutectic Al–Si alloy S. Samavedam, MGIT, Hyderabad, India; S. B. Sakri, DRDL, Hyderabad, India; D. Hanumantha Rao, MVSR Engineering College, Hyderabad, India; and S. Sundarrajan, National Institute of Technology, Trichy, India

ABSTRACT Estimation of volume deficit of US 413 cast aluminium alloy has been discussed in the present study. Decrease in specific volume leads to volume deficits in castings and it can be envisaged as a casting defect. Hence, information about volume deficit and its distribution is essential in minimising casting defects. The volume deficit of a given casting is the combination of macro cavities, internal porosity, surface sinks and volumetric contraction. These defects are measured using mathematical formulae. Estimation of internal closed porosity has been addressed through X-ray computer tomography. Influence of pouring temperature on the volume deficit characteristics has been studied.

RÉSUMÉ Dans cette étude, on discute de l’estimation du déficit volumique de l’alliage coulé d’aluminium US 413. La réduction du volume spécifique mène à un déficit volumique dans les moulages que l’on considère comme un défaut de coulée. En conséquence, l’information concernant le déficit volumique et sa distribution est essentielle dans la restreinte des défauts de coulée. Le déficit volumique d’un moulage donné consiste en une combinaison de macro cavités, de porosité interne, de puits de surface et de contraction volumétrique. Ces défauts sont mesurés en utilisant des formules mathématiques. On a abordé l’estimation de la porosité interne fermée au moyen de la tomographie par ordinateur avec rayons x. On a étudié l’influence de la température de coulée sur les caractéristiques du déficit volumique.

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 119

TECHNICAL ABSTRACTS

canadian metallurgical quarterly

Excerpts taken from abstracts in CMQ, Vol. 53, No. 1. To subscribe – www.cmq-online.ca

Evolution of primary α-Al particles during isothermal transformation of rheocast semi solid metal billets of A356 Al–Si alloy O. Lashkari, Bekaert Canada Limited, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; and R. Ghomashchi, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

ABSTRACT Semi solid metal (SSM) processing is a relatively new technology for metal forming, different from the conventional metal shaping technologies that use either solid or liquid metals as the starting material. Semi solid metal processing deals with semi solid slurries, in which non-dendritic solid particles are dispersed in a liquid matrix. The solid volume fraction could vary between 0.1–0.5 with apparent viscosity close to that of liquid state. The slurry flows easily under pressure and makes complicated shapes with high degree of die filling and integrity. There are different ways to prepare SSM slurries including the application of direct or indirect mechanical stirring, chemical treatments of the melt, and manipulation of pouring temperature. One of the important parameters controlling the mechanical and flow characteristics of SSM billets is the morphology of the primary solid phase, e.g. α-Al for Al–Si alloys. The morphological evolution of primary α-Al particles of SSM processed A356 Al–Si billets is studied with variant soaking times, 0–480 s, at 595°C, i.e. 0.33 fraction solid before the applied compression force. The effect of applied compression force of 33 kgf on the evolution of dendritic morphology was also investigated at the same temperature and within the same holding time range. The microstructure was characterised quantitatively and showed that spheroidisation and coarsening are active during the course of treatment with the application of compressive forces bringing about further refinement.

RÉSUMÉ Le traitement de métal à l’état semi-solide (SSM) est une technologie relativement nouvelle de formage des métaux, différente des technologies conventionnelles de façonnage des métaux qui utilisent des métaux soit à l’état solide ou liquide comme matériel de départ. Le traitement SSM traite des coulis à l’état semi-solide, dans lesquels des particules solides non-dendritiques sont dispersées dans une matrice liquide. La fraction volumique du solide peut varier entre 0,1 et 0,5, avec une viscosité apparente proche de celle de l’état liquide. Le coulis s’écoule facilement sous pression en des formes compliquées avec un haut degré de remplissage du moule et d’intégrité. Il existe différentes façons de préparer les coulis de SSM, incluant l’application d’agitation mécanique directe ou indirecte, les traitements chimiques du bain et la manipulation de la température de coulage. L’un des paramètres importants contrôlant les caractéristiques mécaniques et d’écoulement des billettes de SSM est la morphologie de la phase solide primaire, par exemple Al-α dans les alliages d’Al–Si. On a étudié l’évolution morphologique des particules primaires d’Al-α de billettes traitées en SSM d’Al–Si A356, avec des temps d’incubation variant de 0 à 480 s, à 595 °C – c’est-à-dire fraction solide de 0,33 avant la force appliquée en compression. On a également examiné l’effet de la force de compression appliquée de 33 kgf sur l’évolution de la morphologie dendritique, à la même température et dans la même gamme de temps de rétention. On a caractérisé quantitativement la microstructure et l’on montre que la sphéroïdisation et le grossissement sont actifs tout au long du traitement, l’application de forces compressives amenant davantage d’affinement.

The influence of alkaline salt bath quenching on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI D2 steel A. Malekan, A. Pedram, Sh. Raygan, J. Rassizadeh Ghani, School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; and M. Malekan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Lavizan, Tehran, Iran

ABSTRACT In this work, the microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI D2 tool steel is compared after air cooling and quenching in alkaline salt bath (60% KOH and 40% NaOH). The results have shown that the hardness of the samples quenched in alkaline salt bath with different temperatures followed by tempering at 540 °C was higher than the hardness of air cooled sample. The maximum hardness from surface to centre of the samples was achieved after quenching in salt bath at 220 °C. The microstructure and consequently the mechanical properties were altered after quenching in different media. It is also shown that hardening of D2 steel in alkaline salt bath can result in higher strength values than air cooling while there was no significant change in the impact energy of the samples. 120 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

RÉSUMÉ Dans ce travail, on compare la microstructure et les propriétés mécaniques de l’acier à outils AISI D2 après refroidissement à l’air ou après trempe dans un bain de sel alcalin (60 % KOH et 40 % NaOH). Les résultats ont montré que la dureté des échantillons trempés dans le bain de sel alcalin à différentes températures suivi d’un revenu à 540 °C était plus élevée que la dureté de l’échantillon refroidi à l’air. On a obtenu la dureté maximale, depuis la surface jusqu’au centre des échantillons, par trempe dans le bain de sel à 220 °C. La microstructure et, par conséquent, les propriétés mécaniques étaient altérées après la trempe dans différents médias. On montre également que l’endurcissement de l’acier D2 dans un bain de sel alcalin peut résulter en des valeurs plus élevées de résistance à la traction que lors du refroidissement à l’air alors qu’il n’y avait pas de changement important de l’énergie de rupture des échantillons.

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IN THE NEXT ISSUE PROJECT PROFILE Skouries and Olympias On Greece’s Chalkidiki Peninsula, Eldorado Gold is developing ambitious projects that build on thousands of years of mining history in the region

• FEATURE From Western Australia to Fort McMurray, we collect the tips and tales of fly in, fly out workers building lives on an alternative schedule

• The International Cyanide Management Code 10 years on - A major milestone for gold miners around the world

• Paul Bankes of Teck Resources breaks down the latest CIM standards’ definitions

• TRAVEL Stratoni, Greece

• TECHNOLOGY The latest in underground mining equipment

March/April • Mars/Avril 2015 | 121

Saint Barbara: the patron saint of miners By Correy Baldwin

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erman miners have been known to greet each other as Barbara prayed in the hours before her death, she said a with a good luck salutation: “Glück auf!” Translated special prayer for all miners. literally to mean “luck open,” the greeting wishes for Still, miners cannot claim Saint Barbara exclusively for the rock face to open before the miner and reveal its ore. It is themselves. Architects, engineers and craftsmen have also a reference to the tale of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of adopted her, drawn to the image of the tower in which she miners, who was once protected by a mountain rock face that was imprisoned. She also became the patron saint of geoloopened up to shelter her. gists because of the mountain Saint Barbara has long been that sheltered her. And her name invoked for protection and good has long been invoked for protecluck in what was once tion from lightning and by extenextremely dangerous work. She sion fires, making her the chosen shares her feast day with Intersaint of firefighters. national Miners Day, Dec. 4, This aspect of her divine prowhich honours people who tection was adapted and modernhave risked their lives working ized with the invention of in mines. gunpowder and other explosives, The tale of her sainthood is a which brought to mind the bolt brief but violent one. Saint Barof lightning that avenged her bara was a young woman who death. Saint Barbara became the lived around AD 300 in what is patron saint of artillerymen, who now Turkey. Her father, a pagan for years painted her image onto nobleman named Dioscorus, their munitions. When explowas an overprotective parent sives were brought into the who kept his daughter in a mines, miners again invoked her tower to shield her from the for protection. outside world. He was espeAlthough Saint Barbara has cially concerned that she would always been a popular saint, her catch wind of a pesky religion place in the historical record is known as Christianity, which very much in doubt. She is not was outlawed at the time. mentioned in any early ChrisAnd yet even locked up she tian texts or writings about learned – through divine intersaints and martyrs, and the vervention – about the Christian sions of her story vary greatly. faith. When Barbara confessed She is, most likely, the product to her father that she had con- Saint Barbara has long been invoked by miners around the world for good of myth and legend. The Roman luck and protection. verted, he was so furious that he Catholic Church recognized this tried to kill her. Barbara manin 1969 when it revised its lituraged to escape and ran to the nearby hills. It was here that a gical calendar and removed Saint Barbara, although she rock face opened up for her and hid her in its cave. did remain in the Church’s list of saints. It is not known Her father eventually found her, having been tipped off by exactly when she was canonized, but it was probably in the a local shepherd, and dragged her to court, which seventh century. denounced her as a heretic and had her tortured and imprisThe Orthodox Church has perhaps had a closer tie to the oned. Barbara’s wounds miraculously healed overnight, but saint. Fragments of her relics were first brought to Constanthe next day she was sentenced to death and beheaded by tinople, and then to Kiev in 1108. In the 1950s they travelled her own father. Before the day was over, however, Barbara’s yet again, this time to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. martyrdom would be avenged: her murderous father was Barbara in Edmonton, Alberta. struck and killed by lightning as he returned home. The authenticity of Saint Barbara’s story can be debated, In some versions of the tale, Barbara fled to a mine, where but she will always play a special role in the tradition and the miners hid and protected her as long as they could. Later, mythology of the mining industry. CIM 122 | CIM Magazine | Vol. 10, No. 2

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