issue 2 • 2022
2022 Trailblazer Awards Series winners announced
Viridis Terra uses ecological restoration to revive nature after mining operations
PDAC 2022 Convention returns to Toronto in person AND online
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IN THIS ISSUE DEL Communications Inc. www.delcommunications.com
Message from the editor – 4 Superior Exploration, Adventure and Climbing Company Ltd.:
President & CEO David Langstaff
Innovation of a traditional geophysical tool – 5
Managing Editor cindy chan
Virdis Terra uses ecological restoration to revive
cindy@delcommunications.com
nature after mining operations – 6
Director of Online Marketing MIC PATERSON
This is Sparton Resources Inc. – 8
mic@delcommunications.com Advertising Manager dayna oulion dayna@delcommunications.com Sales Representative ross james ross@delcommunications.com Cover photo courtesy of Spartan Resources Inc.
2022 Trailblazer Awards Series winners announced – 10 New tools help youth discover place in mining – 12 New guideline for reducing diesel particulate matter in underground mines – 14 PDAC 2022 Convention returns to Toronto in person AND online – 16
© 2022 DEL Communications Inc.
Haileybury School of Mines:
All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproducedby
110 years of prospect, prosperity, and potential – 17
any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Belt scraper innovation – 18
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy
CEMI updates on MICA, SMEs, and critical minerals – 19
of the information contained in and the reliability of
Can lean implementation improve the mining industry? – 20
the source, the publisher in no way guarantees nor warrants the informationand is not responsible for
Simple strategies for success
errors, omissions or statementsmade by advertisers.
when you work away from home – 22
Opinions and recommendationsmade by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees.
The Interbanc Capital Corp. strategy for investing in junior mineral exploration companies – 24
DEL Communications Inc. is extremely grateful to our advertisers for their support in this publication. We invite you to visit their sites by clicking the companies below. Adventure Lights (2002) Inc. – IFC
Sparton Resources Inc. – 9
Bit Service Company – 4
SPC Nickel Corp. – 18
Continental Mine & Industrial Supply Ltd. – 7 G.E. Environmental Solutions Inc. – 13 Legend Mining – 27 Nilex Inc. – 26
Standard Machine – 4 Superior Exploration – 5 Tartisan Nickle Corp. – 27
RS Breakers & Controls – 23
Viridis Terra Innovations Inc. – 7
Signal Weather Services – 13
x-Glo North America – 11 3
Message from the editor
Cindy Chan
Welcome to Issue 2 of the Ontario Mineral Producer e-newsletter
W
elcome back, readers, to Issue 2 of the Ontario Mineral Producer e-newsletter. We’re so thrilled you have enjoyed the first issue and came back for more. Please note that
while we are sharing articles on our end that we welcome any and all story ideas from you, our readers. This is as much your e-newsletter as it is ours, and we are more than happy to share your news. This issue brings plenty of exciting updates in the Ontario mineral exploration industry. For the first time, the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2022 Convention is returning as both an in-person AND online format. In its 90 years of operating, they have never offered a hybrid event, which certainly reflects how we have changed in terms of interacting and gathering. While a lot of people are happy about meeting face-to-face, I
applaud PDAC for considering those who are a little more cautious and prefer to participate from their computer screens. When we think of mineral exploration, we typically think of men in hard hats, but women are definitely making their mark in the industry. Women in Mining Canada (WIMC) has recently announced its 2022 Trailblazer Awards Series winners. Originally established in 2012 with the flagship Trailblazer Award, the initiative aims to recognize women for making an impact in the Canadian mining industry. So far, WIMC has recognized 32 women – but that number is no doubt going to steadily grow. Again, thank you for taking the time to read our e-newsletter. Feel free to send your story ideas and comments to cindy@delcommunications.com. Happy reading!
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Superior Exploration, Adventure and Climbing Company Ltd.: Innovation of a traditional geophysical tool
W
e offer high quality VLF EM-16 or VLF magnetometer surveys using the GEM VLF/ MAG systems. Surveys can be conducted on an existing grid or on a virtual grid using a handheld GPS. Historical VLF data can be geo-referenced and run through our software. Advantages of our VLF survey methods include: • No exploration permits required. • Non-invasive (no line cutting necessary). • Works in a variety of environments, such as deserts, jungles, glaciers, and tundras. • Interprets depths as far down as 150 metres depending on frequency and apparent resistivity of bedrock.
• Inversion models and inversion plan maps of various depths. • 3D contour shadow maps. • 3D inversion models using Leapfrog or Miro Geoscience Analyst. • Enter drill hole sections with logs on our VLF profiles. We also do ground follow-up of VLF picks and trends and your property for prospecting, sampling, and mapping. We are also professional climbers that provide mining companies with steep, glaciated, and dangerous terrain sampling, mapping, and prospecting. Our past contracts have been in Alaska, Peru, Chile, and Mexico.
• Delineates disseminated sulfides, shear zones, breccias, contacts, and silicified zones. • Maps geological contacts across the VLF grid. Using our own VLF inversion software, we can produce the following: • Raw data profiles, with magnetic profiles and elevation, apparent resistivity. • Fraser filtered profiles, Fraser pseudosections. • KH profiles, KH depth plan maps. • JY filter inversions. • Resistivity profiles and plan maps.
• Ground VLF Surveys & Prospecting • Inversion Modeling • Geological Consulting • VLF Interpretation, Inversions & Modeling • Steep Terrain Sampling & Mapping • Historical VLF Data Processing O:705.946.6054 | C: 705.943.9399 superiorexploration@yahoo.ca www.superior-exploration.ca
5
Viridis Terra uses ecological restoration to revive nature after mining operations
V
iridis Terra is a Canadian green tech company that specializes in the fields of ecosystem restoration and sustainable management to fight land degradation around the globe.
They focus on the restoration of lands and soils, the formulation, implementation and sustainable management of large-scale reforestation, afforestation, and agroforest landscape restoration projects. The team of 45-plus is currently working in Canada, Haiti, Burkina Faso, and Peru. Before: 1. Open pit under mining; 2. Waste rock dumps; 3. Tailings ponds; and 4. Mining infrastructure.
Mine Restoration: Restore After Use Mine restoration is an effective means for supporting sustainable development approaches for mining operations, as well as for maintaining the social licence to operate. Rapid mitigation of the negative effects of mining on the environment and local communities is achieved through restoration by containing and eliminating contaminants, reducing air and water pollution, allowing for the recovery of naturally resilient landscape and recovering biodiversity. The establishment of self-sustaining healthy ecosystems without the release of contaminants is required when considering mining restoration. However, it can take more than 100 years to recover durable resilient natural ecosystems with traditional reclamation and rehabilitation technique currently used in the mining context.
The Solution
After: Restored,
On mining sites without contaminant issues, they focus
sustainable, resilient,
on accelerating the natural processes of ecosystem
and healthy
restoration and recovery. Firstly, an ecological, climatic,
ecosystems.
and edaphic study of the mined areas versus the nearby natural ecosystems is carried out. Then, based on this study, a low-cost ecological restoration strategy, using the fewest possible number of inputs and least possible amount of site preparation, is developed, and implemented with their own technologies. This enables direct reforestation and vegetation of mine waste in a
6
During: 1. Open pit under mining; 2. Progressive restoration of waste rock piles; 3. Trials to optimize and adapt technologies to site conditions; 4. Containment of residues; 5. Local production of green inputs for restoration purposes; 6. Phyto-Bio-Filters for the control of effluents; and 7. Industrial ecology: Valuation and reuse of residual materials.
sustainable way, which leads to rapid reconstruction of ecosystems of origin. Whenever possible, they also work to transform the cost of restoration into an investment that
OUR SOLUTION : ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION Mine restoration is an effective means for supporting sustainable development approaches for mining operations, as well as for maintaining the social license to operate.
brings money to clients. On contaminant-releasing mining sites, Viridis Terra uses ecological engineering technologies to sustainably confine the pollutants and remediate and ecologically restore the sites. Here, the term ‘ecoengineering technologies’ refers to a mix of complementary engineering technologies and
On contaminant-releasing mining sites, Viridis Terra International advocates the use of innovative ecological engineering technologies to sustainably confine the pollutants, remediate and ecologically restore the sites.
phytobial technologies. Engineering technologies such as the use of physical structures like geomembranes and covers with capillary barrier effects, and the use of flooding, are very effective in confining the contaminants in the short term but have a particular lifespan and lose resistance and efficiency when they age. Furthermore, these technologies often still release some contaminants into the environment through leaks. Phytobial technologies, which are based on specific plant-microbe-soil triads, have lower remediation effectiveness in the short term but increase in efficiency www.viridisterra.com info@viridisterra.com 819.732.2571
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This is Sparton Resources Inc. By Lee Barker
S
parton Resources Inc.
Robert Friedland managed Ivanhoe
On the minerals front, Sparton has
(TSXV.SRI) is a Canadian-
Group of companies. VRB Energy is
concentrated its efforts on locating
based, publicly traded,
the world’s leader in integrating long-
under-explored gold properties
mature junior mineral
life, grid-scale storage batteries with
near producing mines. The Bruell
wind or solar sources of electricity.
project in Quebec is currently under
exploration company that has been active for over 40 years. It is managed by a small team of veteran mining professionals with over 125 years of combined experience. Over the last 18 years, it has generated and developed successful projects for precious and specialty metals in Asia, the United
8
These batteries are safer (cannot catch fire), longer lasting (nothing is chemically consumed), and are cost-competitive with lithium units. They are fully recyclable, and they have been built and installed in multi-
option to Eldorado Gold Corp., which operates the Lamaque/Sigma gold mine complex east of Val-d’Or, Quebec, and controls a large property package (including Bruell) east of the Lamaque operations. There are three 1930s-era shafts on the Bruell claims
States, and Canada. Its core asset is
megawatt sizes and are certified
a minority interest (9.8 per cent) in
for extreme cold operations (-40
discovered an exciting new gold zone
a clean tech, vanadium flow battery
degrees Celcius). Sparton expects
at Bruell and Eldorado is currently
producer Sparton Energy Inc. The
to gain substantial benefit from its
part way through a 5,000-metre drill
majority shareholder in VRB Energy
VRB Energy share holdings when VRB
program there. If Eldorado exercises
is Ivanhoe Electric Inc., part of the
Energy becomes a public entity.
its option later this year, Sparton will
and numerous gold showings. Sparton
receive a substantial cash payment and hold a production royalty on the property. Sparton has also acquired a large claim package north of Alamos Gold Inc’s. 200,000-ounce-per-year Young Davidson Mine near Matachewan, Ontario in the western part of the prolific Kirkland Lake Gold Belt. The property was explored with a small shaft in the 1930s by the Sir Harry Oakes’ interests. The property consists of three mining leases, which had seen almost no work in 25 years and 41 mining claims. Oakes was the discoverer of the 10-million-plus ounce Lakeshore Mine in Kirkland Lake and supported exploration in many other areas. Sparton did a modest drilling program in one area near the old shaft with some positive but mixed results. It has recently completed detailed induced polarization and magnetic surveys and identified at least four new targets on the claim group that have never been evaluated in the past. These will be tested by trenching and possibly drilling later in 2022. Sparton also owns 100 per cent of a subsidiary core drilling company called Edcor Drilling Services that that does contract diamond core drilling work for third-party clients and provides sustaining cash flow for its parent. Sparton continues to seek out and identify new mineral opportunities, especially those in active mining areas with producing mines, and works to enhance the value of its existing projects.
RESOURCES INC.
TSX: Venture
FOCUSED ON GOLD
The Oakes Gold Property, Matachewan, west of Kirkland Lake. The Bruell Gold Property east of Val D’or, Quebec (with Eldorado Gold). RECOGNIZING THE INHERENT VALUE OF ENERGY STORAGE Supporting clean renewable energy production. We are a Canadian public company with 9.8% ownership of VRB Energy Inc., a leading manufacturer of grid scale flow battery energy systems.
Lee Barker, CEO Mobile 24/7
For more information please see the Sparton website
+1-416 -716-5762
www.spartonresources.com or contact:
info@spartonres.ca
Lee Barker, CEO 216-81A Front Street East Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5E 1Z7 info@spartonres.ca (416) 716-5762
T/F: 647-344-7734 81A Front Street E, Suite 216 Toronto, Ontario M5E 1Z7
www.spartonres.ca 9
2022 Trailblazer Awards Series winners announced
W
omen in Mining Canada (WIMC) is pleased to announce its 2022 Trailblazer Awards Series winners. It was originally launched in 2012 with the flagship Trailblazer Award, which recognizes women making an impact on the Canadian mining industry and opening doors for those following in her footsteps. The awards have since expanded to include additional categories to recognize the contributions of students, members of the Indigenous community and mentors who foster, promote, and empower women in the Canadian mining industry. Including this year’s winners, WIMC has recognized 32 women and mentors for their contributions to the Canadian mining industry since launching the awards in 2012. This year, we were excited by the quality of the nominations we received, and are proud to share and celebrate the 2022 Trailblazer Awards Series winners:
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Anne Lewis – Trailblazer Award Winner
Christy Smith – Indigenous Trailblazer Award Winner
Anne has 15 years of experience working in Yukon and on local, national, and international projects. She has led projects in collaboration with Yukon minerals sector companies, organizations, and industry partners. She is the founder and president of CSR Management Inc. and of Yukon Women in Mining, and the co-founder and president of the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce’s Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference. Additionally, she is the executive director of the Yukon Mining Alliance.
Christy is a member of the K’ómoks First Nation, living in her traditional territory on Vancouver Island. She has authentically navigated both Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds while working in the resource sector for 25 years. She currently serves as partner and VP Indigenous and stakeholder relations with Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd., as VP sustainability with TDG Gold Corp., and as vice-chair for the Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Committee for AMEBC. She recently co-authored the book, “Weaving Two Worlds: Economic Reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and the Resource Sector”.
Nicole Julien – Indigenous Student Trailblazer Award Winner Nicole Julien is of Ojibwé and Mi’kmaq heritage and is currently studying geological engineering at Queen’s University. She was the outreach co-ordinator for the Queen’s chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, participating in STEM outreach in the Indigenous community in Kingston and at an elementary school in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. She strives to inspire women and non-binary folks to consider a future career in the mining industry. As the recipient of the Indigenous Student Trailblazer award, Nicole will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Sprott.
Maddison Konway – Student Trailblazer Award Winner Maddison is a fourth-year materials engineering and management student at McMaster University. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she has been involved in the McMaster engineering research community as a research assistant and as president of the McMaster Society for Engineering Research. After graduation, she plans to work globally before eventually settling in Canada. As the recipient of the 2022 Student Trailblazer Award, Maddison will be awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Dundee Precious Metals.
Lawrence Devon Smith – Rick Hutson Mentorship Award Winner Larry is mentor to Jessie Liu-Ernsting, who nominated him for the award. Larry is a consultant and educator in mineral project evaluations. He is a mining engineer with over 40 years’ experience in economic evaluations and project engineering. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and at the Mining MBA program at York University. He also teaches mineral economics for in-house training, workshops and courses through EduMine.
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New tools help youth discover place in mining By The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)
C
anada’s mining industry is once more facing skills shortages stemming from high retirement levels,
industry growth, skills gaps and a lack of interest in mining-related careers among youth. The Mining Industry Human Resource Council (MiHR) created the We Need Mining. Mining Needs You. career
equity, diversity, and inclusion; and
Linked to the career profiles is a new
how extracted minerals and metals
Interactive World of Mining Careers
are used in everyday life.
that allows users to visually explore
The site boasts new features that help youth see the industry as an innovative, challenging and rewarding
a metaphorical representation of six different mine work environments and the occupations within each area.
career choice.
Website visitors can also see where
A suite of more than 50 career
taking the new Interactive Career
profiles have been updated to
they might fit in the industry by Quiz. By building a profile and
awareness campaign – anchored by
include up-to-date information on
answering questions, users can
the MiningNeedsYou.ca website – as
job responsibilities, salary ranges,
explore matching careers. Career
a direct response to these challenges
and education requirements.
options automatically update as
in early 2021. The site enables youth
Six new occupations were also
career interests and skills are added
to discover what modern mining looks
added to showcase the variety of
or removed from their profile, and
like, its necessity to a low-carbon
positions available in the industry:
a career pathway presents how job
economy, and how they can help
environmental consultant; equity,
seekers can advance a career in
Canada be the world leader in safe,
diversity, and inclusion specialist;
mining.
sustainable mining. It showcases
Indigenous relations superintendent;
the innovative technologies used in
instrumentation technician; internet
the sector; industry commitment
of things technology specialist; and
to environmental sustainability and
robotic welder operator.
In connection with the career awareness campaign and in support of future mining talent, the fiveyear I Chose Mining. Mining Chose Me. Scholarship Program launched in 2021 to celebrate MiHR’s 25th anniversary. It is awarding 10 $2,500 scholarships to post-secondary students in mining-related programs between 2021 and 2025. The first two recipients, Jimmy Ding, studying geological engineering in mining at the University of Saskatchewan, and Chantelle Delaney, studying process engineering at Memorial University, were selected for their hard work and interest in the sector. The deadline to apply for the 2022 scholarships is September 30, 2022. Gearing Up, MiHR’s flagship career
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development program, also supports mining-related undergraduate students by offering wage subsidies up to $7,000 to mining-related employers that create new workintegrated learning placements and related initiatives – such as co-ops, internships, field placements, applied projects, capstone projects, and case competitions. Gearing Up has provided over $10 million in funding to support approximately 1600 postsecondary students over the last four years. MiHR’s Green Jobs program also provides companies with a wage subsidy to help job-ready youth gain relevant and meaningful work experience in mining through paid placements or training opportunities that focus on clean technology and innovation, and ultimately provide an environmental benefit to Canada. Meaningful placements of up to 12 months in duration are delivered through MiHR-approved hiring organizations, who receive 80 per cent of participant’s compensation to a maximum of $25,000 for job-ready youth and $32,000 for youth furthest from employment (Indigenous youth, youth in northern regions (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), and remote communities (a permanent or long-term (five years or more) settlement with at least 10
dwellings that does not have year-
Get involved in youth engagement by
round road access).
hiring a co-op student or job-ready
Engaging youth in mining is imperative to help resolve the mining industry’s skills challenges. Whether through
youth and applying for a Gearing Up or Green Jobs wage subsidy, promoting We Need Mining. Mining Needs You.
career awareness campaigns,
initiatives or by visiting MiHR.ca and
scholarships, work-integrated
MiningNeedsYou.ca to learn more
learning, or other initiatives, industry
about how industry representatives
partnerships are key to attracting the
can connect with MiHR to help youth
next generation of mining workers.
discover their place in mining.
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New guideline for reducing diesel particulate matter in underground mines Two successful examples of control strategies for airborne hazards
A
new guideline document for controlling diesel emissions in underground mines was introduced by the Ontario mining industry technical advisory committee. “Diesel engine exhaust, including the diesel particulate matter, has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organization,” says Keith Birnie, industrial hygienist and ventilation specialist at Workplace Safety North (WSN) and committee chair and co-ordinator. “For many years, diesel engines have been the workhorse in a large number of industries including mining, and diesel exhaust exposure presents an inhalation health hazard to workers.”
In 2021, mining industry volunteers who make up the WSN Workplace Environment Technical Advisory Committee developed a practical reference document, “Reducing diesel particulate matter in underground mines: Two successful examples,” for Ontario mining operations. The guide has information about the hazards of diesel engine exhaust along with examples on controlling diesel emissions, with a focus on diesel particulate matter. Occupations with potential exposure to diesel emissions include miners, construction workers, heavy equipment operators, bridge and tunnel workers, railroad workers, oil and gas workers, loading dock workers, truck drivers, material handling operators, farmworkers, long-shoring workers, and auto, truck and bus maintenance garage workers. The diesel exposure guideline includes: • Health effects • Standards in place to protect miners • Examples of successful control strategies implemented by two mining operations Most heavy- and medium-duty trucks are equipped with diesel engines, as well as mining
14
Keith Birnie.
equipment, buses, locomotives and ships, bulldozers, tractors, and other types of equipment such as bucket lifts and diesel-fueled generators. Approximately 9,100 workers in the Ontario mining industry are estimated to be exposed to diesel exhaust emissions. CAREX Canada estimates that about 56 per cent of mine workers exposed to diesel exhaust in Ontario are exposed at high levels due to the accumulation of emissions in underground operations.
Changes to diesel occupational exposure limits for Ontario “Although larger operations are moving toward battery electric vehicles, they still have and will likely have diesel equipment for quite some time into the future,” notes Birnie. “The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is planning to lower diesel particulate matter exposure limits and has consulted with industry on a regulatory proposal. This is one of the largest proposals I have ever seen from the Ministry especially in the context of ventilation and industrial hygiene.”
Practical solutions on how to overcome challenges “The intent of this guideline is to provide practical solutions on successfully implementing control
strategies for reducing diesel particulate matter,” says Birnie. “Most people know ‘what’ they need to do, but they’re interested in ‘how’ to do it and overcome the challenges. Filters are excellent at lowering particulate emissions, and this guide shows how two mining operations successfully faced these challenges.”
Infographic: Proper use of respirators in mines and mining plants
Ontario Ministry of Labour Diesel Survey of Mines and
Occupational Diseases in the Ontario
Mine Contractors
Mining Industry: An update from the
Ventilation Assessment for
Occupational Cancer Research Centre
Underground Mines
The information in the reference material is provided as a guide to assist underground mining operations in developing those policies, programs, and how to overcome some of the control implementation challenges. Workplace Safety North, the Ontario health and safety association for mining and forest products industries, is host to industry advisory committees that tackle top health and safety concerns. Advisory committees provide sector-specific expertise. The Technical Advisory Committees within the Mining Advisory Committee include (1) Ontario Mine Rescue, (2) Mining Equipment, (3) Safety and Loss Control, and (4) Workplace Environment (a) industrial hygiene and ventilation, and (b) ground control. Prevention of occupational disease is a top priority for the Ontario health and safety system. For more information, contact Keith Birnie.
Related Auxiliary Ventilation: Good Installation and Maintenance Practices for Miners Free training resources on diesel emission hazards for all industries: Participant training manual and Leader presentation Hazard alert: Diesel fuel tank vent systems and risk of flash fires Infographic: Health effects of diesel exhaust in mines
15
PDAC 2022 Convention returns to Toronto in person AND online
T
he international mineral exploration and mining industry is once again gearing up for the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) Convention in Toronto, following its first virtual convention in 2021. This year signifies the return of the in person event from June 13 to 15, as well as an online portion from June 28 to 29. This is the first time in the PDAC Convention’s 90 years that it will be offered as a hybrid event, and a fitting way to honour the milestone. “The pandemic has had us on a roller coaster over the past couple of years and the feedback we are consistently hearing from our stakeholders is that they want to get back to doing business in person, and for anyone connected to the mineral exploration and mining industry, that means getting together face to face for the PDAC 2022 Convention,” says Alex Christopher, PDAC president. While the pandemic created challenges, it also demonstrated the resilience of the sector as it navigated health and safety, accessibility and supply chain obstacles, while conversations turned to the security of precious metals and the industry’s role in the transition to a low carbon future.
16
“We have watched precious metals and gold prices soar to record highs, applaud conversations recognizing the industry’s critical role in the clean energy transition, and, throughout the pandemic, have watched companies offer support to Indigenous and remote communities where it may otherwise have not existed,” adds Christopher. “This is just a small glimpse into the importance of the minerals industry, and as the world reopens, professionals — including analysts, executives, geologists, prospectors, investors, students, and government officials — need timely and relevant programming and short courses that can be tailored to their needs, and the PDAC 2022 Convention offers exactly that.” The PDAC Convention provides a platform for experts to connect and talk, learn and collaborate about the opportunities and challenges faced by the industry. Highly-acclaimed topics — such as Capital Markets, Indigenous, Student & Early Career, Sustainability and Technical — will return to in person and online programming, along with Short Courses, the seventh annual International Mines Ministers’ Summit (IMMS), Events & Networking, and a newly expanded Keynote Program for experts to present on commodities,
the mineral outlook, innovation and new discoveries. More than 800 exhibitors will display their expertise and latest core samples in Core Shack, Investors Exchange, Prospectors Tent and Trade Show. But the excitement is not limited to only in person with an outstanding lineup of programming scheduled for the online portion. “It is important that we can offer the online portion of PDAC 2022 for a very important group of stakeholders across the world who want access to information directly from their home or office, and we are excited to be able to give them that,” says Lisa McDonald, PDAC executive director. “But it is the in person element that is being craved this year and we can’t wait to welcome the world’s mineral exploration and mining industry to PDAC 2022 after all this time, we’ve certainly missed everyone.” For the latest information on #PDAC2022 head to www.pdac.ca/convention. The health, safety and wellness of attendees remains PDAC’s top priority and Canadian and local government directives will be followed at all times. Visit the COVID-19 Information Page for latest updates.
Haileybury School of Mines: 110 years of prospect, prosperity, and potential
T
he year is 1912 and the western shores of Lake Temiskaming are a hive of activity.
in mining excellence, and its practices have always defined our unique approach to education.”
Townsites are growing rapidly, buildings are raised, and plank sidewalks stitch together the communities, helping the influx of would-be fortuneseekers avoid the muck and mire that makes up the local road system.
“We continue to look to industry to help inform our practices and priorities,” she added. “Our goal has always been to provide students with the most accessible education with the most tangible likelihood for success in their chosen field once they graduate.”
The silver mines of Cobalt are booming, and prospectors are cutting their way through the boreal reaches of Northern Ontario in search of the next big discovery.
As the decades have come and gone, the methods and techniques have changed, but the fundamental mandate of HSM has remained the same: train willing students to become skilled graduates and successful professionals that continue to shape the mining industry.
In this midst of this chaos, the Haileybury School of Mines (HSM) was founded to meet the need for skilled labourers in the exploding Canadian mining industry. “It’s been 110 years since HSM was founded, that’s 110 years HSM has been a leader and integral part of, the Canadian Mining Industry,” said Dr. Audrey J. Penner, president and CEO of Northern College. “For over a century, HSM graduates have shaped the modern mining industry both near and far. Our graduates have staked claims, developed mines, founded multi-national corporations, and led them, developed life-saving practices and above all, cemented HSM as a world class centre of excellence that continues on today.” Northern College’s stewardship of the century-old institution in 1970 but maintained its fundamental principles as well as its world-class name and reputation. “It has always been incredibly important to us as an institution to recognize the significance of HSM and its signification contributions,” said Penner. “HSM is a cornerstone of our institution, region, and across the globe
“We have always been focused on industry directed training,” said Aaron Klooster, Northern College vicepresident, academic and student success. “Although many of our teaching methods have transitioned to a digital platform, the methodology of our approach remains the same. Our students still participate in robust practical hands-on field training as part of the curriculum.” As the Haileybury School of Mines moves further into its second century of existence, it remains as industry focused and adaptable as it was when it was originally founded in 1912. HSM places special focus on innovation through Northern College’s Innovation Hub – a facility that provides students and Industry with the technological support they need to turn their ground-breaking ideas into a reality and help connect those ideas to global marketplaces. Building on a century-old foundation, Northern College and the Haileybury School of Mines continue to play a pivotal role in the modern mining industry globally.
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Belt scraper innovation By Scott Bahr
peeled belt cover, risking tearing the belt.
O
and partner with STARCLEAN® as we were amazed by the technological advances the company had made in the areas of conveyor tending equipment.
For years, these troubling conveyor issues were observed by our personnel when underground and visiting sites, and in many cases the mines had just evolved to deal with in creative ways. In an effort to improve and even solve these conveyor maintenance issues, we came to meet
Most impressive in STARCLEAN®’s innovative collection is its clever versions of belt scrapers and cleaners. Finding these were fortunate, as the biggest issue maintenance planners and engineers had reported to us was that the mine site did not employ belt scrapers for removing adhered material. There were legitimate reasons for not doing so, such as existing damage to belt coverings of the use of mechanical belt splices. In either case, the predicament remained: these workers had tried a scraper in the past, and the aggressive nature of the scraper would compromise the splice or
n the important topic of reliability, we want to address the maintenance and protection of the conveyor belt system. When optimized, conveyor belts are the standard for moving bulk material around and out of a mine, through the processing plants, and out the loadout. However, when not optimized, they are subject to sticky material adhesion issues, material spillage at transfer points, and tracking misalignment.
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This is exactly why we were so impressed with the unique design of the STARCLEAN® primary scraper. Not only does the scraper employ a variable tensioning system to keep the scraper blades on the belt, but the individual scraper segments on each scraper blade also provide their own tension and articulation. This allows for the required flexibility to both remove adhered material from the belt as well as articulate over and avoid damaged areas and splices. Another amazing development for maintenance staff is that the worn scraper blade segments do not require any tools when replacing, which reduces the time for the job, and increasing safety. Here, we have just touched on the innovative primary scrapers from STARCLEAN®. However, the same level of innovation has been brought to the company’s secondary scrapers, transfer point seals, return scrapers, and self-aligning rollers. This is a complete system designed to eliminate material spillage, reduce dust and fines, and keep the belt free of adhesion, thus extending its service life. At Bit Service, we are excited to bring innovations like these to the Canadian mining industry, and are eager to discuss how we can help apply this innovative technology to your material handling system.
CEMI updates on MICA, SMEs, and critical minerals
T
he Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) has been working towards solving mining challenges for the past 15 years – and they’re not slowing down any time soon.
offer commercialization, and provide dollars into supporting the technical projects at a readiness level of five-plus. In short, CEMI is looking to move projects that already have momentum in the mining industry through this network.
According to Charles Nyabeze, vice-president of business and development and commercialization, CEMI was established in 2007 to solve the challenges of the mining industry by advancing innovation, which impacts the triple bottom line of the industry – environmental, social, and economic.
“What we realized was that the mining industry was not fully benefiting from all the innovations coming out of the Canadian innovation ecosystem,” Nyabeze says. “MICA is the vehicle which will help identify those many Canadian innovations with commercialization ready mining applications.”
On July 13, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced a $40 million investment into a sustainable mining project from CEMI called the MICA (Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator) network, created by CEMI in partnership with six main partners from across Canada: the Bradshaw Research Initiative for Minerals and Mining (BC), InnoTech Alberta (AB), Saskatchewan Polytechnic (SK), MaRS (ON), Groupe MISA (PQ), and the College of the North Atlantic (NL).
This investment in MICA is also helping to advance the development of the critical minerals supply chain. Critical minerals are essential for clean technologies in areas such as alternative building materials, harnessing wind energy, solar panels to the development of the whole battery supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs).
“That MICA Network was funded by the government to accelerate innovation into the mining industry,” Nyabeze explains. “CEMI put together a proposal to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and we received $40 million. Our hope is to leverage that $40 million into over $112 million over the next five years.” The MICA network received its first proposals in March 2022. They had a deadline of April 25 for MICA members to apply for access to those funds for their technical projects. So far, CEMI has received over 80 project funding requests from across the country under the following four technology themes: 1) Increase mine production capacity at a lower cost. 2) Reduce mining energy consumption and GHG emissions. 3) Implement smart, autonomous mining systems. 4) Reduce environmental risk and long-term liabilities. The goal of MICA is to bring together an innovation ecosystem across Canada to support mining innovation,
“There are current and looming shortages of minerals out there that are essential in electrification and in building the low carbon economy,” Nyabeze says. “These minerals and metals are the key to building the future.” Where does CEMI fit in all of this? Nyabeze says the organization and the MICA Network are available to accelerate the technologies that enable the critical minerals industry. For example, small- to medium-sized enterprises enable technology that allows for the efficient extraction of minerals and are creating new solutions to enable the opening of new sustainable mines. “Through MICA, we are well-positioned from a national level to lead this country in directing resources that are key to how Canada addresses commercialization into the mining industry,” Nyabeze says. “If this nation secures, exploits, and extracts value from critical minerals, then there needs to be a supply chain of technology to help with how that happens. CEMI, through MICA, is able to identify emerging crosssector technologies and help them by giving them a network of like-minded people with whom to share knowledge, bestpractises and experiences that enable the acceleration of innovation into the Canadian mining industry.” For more information, visit cemi.ca.
19
Can lean implementation improve the mining industry?
T
he mining industry has been at the forefront of innovation and modernization for many years, but it is also an industry that has encountered continuous uncertainty and volatility. Therefore, mining companies must recognize and implement sustainable strategies that support safety, cost reduction, operational efficiency, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment. At the forefront of lean are principles and practices that support mining companies in developing a systematic approach to waste elimination while promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Applying the Five Lean Principles in Mining 1. Identifying Value This crucial principle focuses on identifying the value of your product or service for your end customer. In doing so, mining companies can tailor their operations and processes to fully convey that value through value-added activities rather than non-valueadded activities. All non-value-added activities are considered wasteful and should be removed from a process. There are eight types of commonly identified waste using the acronym “DOWNTIME”: 1. Defects/Repair
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2. Over-production 3. Waiting 4. Non-utilization of People’s ideas 5. Transportation 6. Inventory 7. Motion 8. Excess Processing
2. Map the Value Stream The value stream is the end-to-end collection of processes that create and deliver value for the customer. More specifically, when you first look at a process, it has all the functions - whether they drive value or not. Mapping out the value steam will indicate where these non-value-added activities are located within a mining process and remove the identified waste from the process, saving you time and money.
3. Create Flow Creating flow involves linking all the activities in the most efficient combinations. We’re looking at all the stops and bottlenecks, working to maximize the value-added content and eliminate or reduce the waste. This means removing stagnation of work in between processes, in limbo, or being held up for whatever reason that’s not driving any positive value for the customer — eliminating any obstacles preventing continuous flow.
These could be in many forms, from physical barriers to approval levels and things requiring a special allocation or approval before moving forward.
4. Pull The fourth step, called implementing pull, is about customer demand driving the value stream. This is very challenging in mining but when pull is implemented in the manufacturing of parts and equipment for mining, nothing is produced upstream until the downstream process needs it. Essentially, work isn’t being executed until a customer requires it. Mines traditionally utilize push systems, but in order to establish stable production processes that produce a required quantity at a given time, pull can be used to balance production to demand.
5. Pursue Perfection Continuous improvement is defined as incremental changes to a service or process that enables activities that deliver the most value to your customer while removing those that don’t. It is a constant strive to improve flow and identify hidden wastes and aims to implement sustainable tools and practices. This, in turn, requires further training of the workforce and engaging not only leaders but all employees to empower them to continuously improve their own processes and standards.
Lean Implementation in Mining Standardization Standardization is a significantly important tool in the mining industry and is the root of efficient, safe, and cost-effective production. The hazardous nature of the processes involved in the mining industry, specifically, makes standardization all the more important. It is the development of baseline procedures and protocols and ensuring the process has a set standard for resources used, time taken, and outputs produced. While the mining industry experiences many variations and adversity, overarching standardization procedures can support unpredictable circumstances.
Visual Management Visual management is a handy and essential tool to use, whether underground in a mine or above ground in a shop, surface plant, or office. The goal of visual management tools is to share information with others, enforce workplace standards, support organization and cleanliness and manage irregularities. • Virtual LED floor markings in mines can indicate pathways, vehicle lanes, working cells, and intersections when typical paint and tape applications don’t apply. • Shadow boards can designate an organized space for tools and equipment. • Kanban is a tool that can be used to signify the next step in a process that needs to occur or some resource needs to be replenished. Usually, a colour-coded sign or card is the indicator. • 5 S stands for Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
Essentially, it is a workplace overhaul designed that can significantly impact waste reduction, safety, and efficiency. Culturally, this is the best approach when embarking on a lean journey to engage everyone and identify quick wins.
TPM/ QCO Mining operations require a significant amount of equipment and tools. As a result, failures, and breakages are common and can often be related to external physical conditions. Total productive maintenance (TPM) and quick changeover (QCO) are proactive and preventative measures that can be taken to maximize the operational efficiency of the equipment. It encourages equipment operators to help in maintaining the equipment while also putting standard maintenance services and operations in place. Applying quick changeover is also essential when failure or shutdowns do occur. It ensures that these problems can be swiftly managed to reduce downtime and that resources are appropriately used while finding a solution to the problem of stabilizing issues in production or equipment.
Just-in-Time (JIT) and Jidoka Just-in-time may not be feasible for the extraction portion of the mining industry as it requires a complex and integrated supply chain. Still, it can be instrumental in mining equipment manufacturing. It works to eliminate waste through overproduction and products sitting in inventory. JIT embodies a pull system where work is only completed as the customer needs it. In the case of mining equipment manufacturing, the production of a new piece of equipment would not start until a customer or supplier required it.
Jidoka is the concept of automation with a human touch. With the constant technological advancements in the mining industry, we see more and more being automated and less physical demand. A Jidoka trend seen in mining is moving from an onboard operator to a remote operator.
Respect for People The basis of lean management and lean thinking is respect for people. It is about developing a culture that empowers every employee to adopt a continuous improvement mindset. It’s about making every process in a production line valuable not only for the customer but also for employees. It’s about open lines of communication and considering the thoughts and ideas of the people doing the work rather than executive management decision-makers. For more information on how lean implementation can improve your mining company, contact Design 4 Lean at solutions@design4lean. com or visit our website at www. design4lean.com.
About Doug Lachance is the founder and president of Design 4 Lean Solutions Inc., a global lean management consulting company based out of the Greater Sudbury Ontario area, teaching and implementing lean for more than 20 years.
21
Simple strategies for success when you work away from home By the Mining Family Matters team
M 22
ining, oil, and gas are dynamic industries offering financial stability and great career opportunities, but the lifestyle can also be tough sometimes, especially for young families when a parent works away. Here’s a simple set of strategies that has helped to ease the pressure for tens of thousands of mining and resources families around the world.
might be hard on the kids” or “it’ll be
1. Don’t underestimate the additional pressure: Most couples are vaguely aware of potential problems (“It
see what’s working and what’s not
2. Coping in the early days: Don’t
tough for a while, until we get used
assume your life is tougher than the
to it.”) Often, though, they don’t
person who is away/at home. It’s
discuss specific issues, or how to
natural to feel this way, but getting
minimize them. There’s no need
into a competition about it won’t
to be overly pessimistic, but it will
help your relationship.
help enormously to be very clear and honest about the pros and cons of working away, why you’re keen to give it a go and what you hope to get out of it. Reassess your goals as a family every six months or so, to working, and to ensure you’re still on the same page.
3. House rules for a happy home: Try to remain as accessible as possible while you’re apart. Keeping in regular contact with phone calls and little emails makes a big difference in the continuity stakes. 4. No ‘I’ in team: This old cliché is especially true for mining families.
If something’s troubling you, avoid arguments that involve lots of “you” and “I”. More often than not, the best question to ask is, “What can ‘we’ do as a team to fix this?” 5. Helping kids to cope: If your child is missing Mom/Dad, allow them to talk about it. Try to avoid saying things like “be brave” or “don’t be silly” because they might think you are not interested or they are unacceptable feelings to discuss. Give them a cuddle and ask, “can you think of anything that might help you feel a bit better?” 6. Sharing time and avoiding conflict during precious time together: For some couples, it works best to agree from the outset on a set number of nights that will be spent together and socializing together or apart. 7. Keeping the love alive: There are all sorts of fascinating benefits of regular sex – including an improved sense of smell and immune function! But the main benefit is enhanced connection and intimacy in your relationship. 8. T ry not to take things personally: We all have different ways of dealing with difficult situations. Some people need as much contact as possible to ease the pain, others prefer to withdraw when they’re feeling low. This can be challenging when all you have is phone contact. So if your partner seems distant and unwilling to remain on the phone in the early days, try not to take it personally. 9. When you’re together, give each other time away from the kids. Designate different days when you each get a sleep in. Make sure you
both get half a day to do something for yourself. Many couples have a rule that the miner gets some down time on the first morning home. 10. D on’t let money make you miserable: Set shared financial goals, and make sure they’re SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timed). For example, “let’s save $20,000 towards a home loan by the end of next year” is more SMART than “let’s save for a house”. 11. W orking away – parenting and discipline: Remember the golden rule for families separated by work: the rules apply all the time, whether you are home or not. Standard rules are very important for kids in hectic households. 12. Tackling loneliness when you’re apart: Loneliness is not a nice feeling. Like all feelings, however, it doesn’t tend to hang around for too long unless it is deliberately ‘hung onto’. Whenever you feel lonely, tell yourself something
like “I can cope with this” and then distract yourself with positive behaviours like exercising, reading, enrolling in an online course and contacting a friend or loved one. And finally, the most important thing to remember is that even the most resilient miner (and miner partner) can find the lifestyle tough sometimes – because working away from home places extraordinary pressure on ordinary relationships. You’re not alone. Families around the world are coping with exactly the same issues.
About Since 2010, Mining Family Matters has provided professional, practical advice to miners and their families around the world. In Canada, 32-page printed guides helping mining families to survive and thrive are available for companies in English and French. For information and further expert advice on careers, mental health, relationships and parenting, visit the Mining Family Matters website at www.miningfm.com.
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23
The Interbanc Capital Corp. strategy for investing in junior mineral exploration companies
P
24
rivately owned Interbanc Capital Corp. (“Interbanc”) has substantial investments in multiple private and public companies that hold substantial land holdings in three historically prolific mineral exploration regions in Northern Ontario. This was not an accident. Interbanc deliberately seeks investment opportunities in companies that hold contiguous, underexplored properties that are near or adjacent to properties that have significant proven or historical mineral resources. These companies include Tashota Resources Inc. (“TRI”), Strike Copper Corp. (“SCC”), and Trojan Gold Inc. (“TGI”), now trading under the symbol CSX:TGII.
In the Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp (“BGGC”) located
In the Hemlo Gold Camp, Interbanc’s investee companies hold some 34,600 acres that surround Barrick Gold Corporation to south, west and north.
Au and total resources of 11.5 million oz Au. Tombill Mines
It is now well-known that Barrick has recently extended the life of its Williams underground mine and that they have been conducting an extensive drilling program within 1,200 metres of TRI’s Hemlo West property.
past 50 years from 18 mines and the BGGC rates among the
east of Lake Nipigon, 160 to 275 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, TRI holds nearly 9,600 acres. This property has a current NI 43-101 deposit containing 260,000 tons at .241oz./Au (68,900 ounces); surface rock grading 8,000 tons at .12 oz./Au (approximately 1,100 ounces); and a drill hole (W13-02), which contains 8.226 g/t Au over 8.70 metres, including 3.90 metres averaging 15.675 g/t Au. TRI’s property is about 60 kilometres from Equinox Gold Corp.’s Hardrock property, which is the site of its Greenstone Project – an open pit mine under development based on its Proven & Probable reserves of 5.5 million oz Limited also has property interests in that area. Given that the area has a history of gold production in the top five gold camps in the Canadian Shield with production of 4.12 million oz. Au of gold and 250,000 oz. Ag, these resources are not surprising.
historical resource as well as Kesselrun Resources Ltd.’s formerly producing Huronian project and are all not far from properties held by Paleo Resources Inc. and White Metal Resources Corp.
Geraldton Gold Camp Past Producers 1934-1970
Exploration Activities
Source: https://www.tombillmines.com/project/
active in the Shebandowan area and have established
tombill-main-group.html
All three of Interbanc’s investee companies have been exploration plans to be implemented utilizing currently valid
In the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt, Interbanc’s investees
and pending exploration permits. After all, proximity to
hold nearly 47,400 acres which are either adjacent to or
properties with proven resources does not guarantee that
within a stone’s throw from Goldshore Resources Inc.’s
underexplored properties will ultimately yield commercially
Moss Lake property with its nearly four million oz AU
viable deposits. Specifically:
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• TRI has an exploration permit valid until Q4 2022 for its Echo Ridge property, which has a mineralization signature of over 500 metres strike length and is open on strike. At present, a 3D geologic and mineralization model is being drawn up based on the thirteen drill holes conducted last year. A down-hole geophysics program to be conducted by Abitibi Geophysics is scheduled to commence on May 15, 2022 (preparation has been scheduled with a contractor with drilling to follow immediately after). • An exploration permit approval is pending at TRI’s Larose property where Abitibi Geophysics has been retained to do a DasVision 3DIP survey on a grid cut last year and a drilling program is being considered in addition to a two-day exploration program for the phosphate occurrence at the Obadinaw Syenite Stock showing. • SCC is awaiting an exploration permit approval for work at its Sungold property (formerly held by Freewest). In the meantime, an excavator contractor has been engaged to do two more drill pads plus trenching at Hamlin (on the border of the Moss Lake property). Mapping of the Hamlin Lake area is planned to be done after completion of trenching. The drill/crew assigned to the Echo Ridge property has been acquired for the Hamlin Lake area work, which is expected to follow immediately after completion
of the Echo Ridge drill program. Freewest’s drill collar UTM positions are to be recorded and flagged at the Wye/ Redfox area with additional prospecting across from Wye Lake’s zinc and copper occurrence with down-hole geophysics being contemplated for later this year at that area. • TGI is also awaiting an exploration permit application currently under review, for its Watershed property, which is adjacent to the west and north of the Moss Lake property). In the meantime, after evaluating Abitibi’s MAG survey of the property; an in-depth program of rock/soil sampling along with mapping is scheduled with two crews to start on May 15, 2022. This surface geological survey will assist in the selection of a trenching/channel sampling program to be followed with a drill program. In summary, Interbanc Capital Corp. has investments in companies with substantial, but underexplored property holdings in historically prolific areas of Northern Ontario. Not satisfied with simply holding the properties for future sale, these companies are all in the process of undertaking new exploration efforts - with Interbanc’s full support! For more information about Interbanc, please contact Charles J. Elbourne, president and CEO, directly at (416) 315-6490 or by email at elbourne007@gmail.com.
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Tartisan Nickel updating the Preliminary Economic Assessment for its flagship Kenbridge Nickel Project.
Tartisan commences baseline studies and advances permitting for its flagship Kenbridge Nickel Project.
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