John A. Meech, Professor and Director Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and...

John A. Meech, Professor and Director

Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and Materials (CERM3)

APSC 150APSC 150Case Study 3Case Study 3

Sustainable MiningSustainable Mining- is that possible? - is that possible?

Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

Who am I?Who am I?

John MeechJohn Meech

• Professor and Director of CERM3Professor and Director of CERM3 (Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and Materials)(Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and Materials)

• Room 508D in the Forward BuildingRoom 508D in the Forward Building

• Email: Email: [email protected]

• Office: (604)-822-3984 Office: (604)-822-3984

mailto:[email protected]

LecturesLecturesPart 1: Protecting the EnvironmentPart 1: Protecting the Environment

Lecture 1:Lecture 1: Sustainable Mining – Is that possible?Sustainable Mining – Is that possible?25/0225/02

Lecture 2:Lecture 2: ARD & the Millennium PlugARD & the Millennium Plug 27/0227/02

Lecture 3:Lecture 3: Confined Spaces in Mine ReclamationConfined Spaces in Mine Reclamation01/0301/03

LecturesLecturesPart 2: Protecting the WorkersPart 2: Protecting the Workers

Lecture 4:Lecture 4: Movie: Mine Rescue in ChileMovie: Mine Rescue in Chile 04/0304/03

Lecture 5:Lecture 5: Mine Rescue at UBCMine Rescue at UBC 06/03 06/03

LecturesLecturesPart 3: Automation and Process ControlPart 3: Automation and Process Control

Lecture 6:Lecture 6: Process Automation in MiningProcess Automation in Mining 08/0308/03

Lecture 7:Lecture 7: Fuzzy Logic Control SystemsFuzzy Logic Control Systems 11/03 11/03

Lecture 8:Lecture 8: Autonomous Haulage Trucks Autonomous Haulage Trucks 13/03 13/03

Tutorials / Tutorials / AssignmentsAssignments

1: Metal Recovery from Britannia Mine Effluent1: Metal Recovery from Britannia Mine Effluent

- 2 parts- 2 parts

2: Mine Safety Issues2: Mine Safety Issues

- 2 parts- 2 parts

3: Mine Automation – Fuzzy Control3: Mine Automation – Fuzzy Control

Part 1: The EnvironmentPart 1: The Environment

• The Miner of the 21The Miner of the 21stst Century must know: Century must know:– How to monitor emissionsHow to monitor emissions– How to protect the environmentHow to protect the environment– How to restore a mine site back to other usesHow to restore a mine site back to other uses– How to get along with the neighboursHow to get along with the neighbours

• Mining today is a balance of three elements:Mining today is a balance of three elements:– Techno-economic issuesTechno-economic issues– Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues– Socio-political issuesSocio-political issues }}Sustainable MiningSustainable Mining

Who is a Miner?Who is a Miner?

• An Engineer with many skillsAn Engineer with many skills– Technical and EconomicTechnical and Economic– Leadership and ManagementLeadership and Management– Vision and Career DirectionVision and Career Direction

• Mining and Mineral ProcessingMining and Mineral Processing– Ore Identification and Mine/Plant DesignOre Identification and Mine/Plant Design– Mine Operation Mine Operation (Drilling, Blasting, Loading, Hauling)(Drilling, Blasting, Loading, Hauling)

– Beneficiation Beneficiation (Liberation, Separation, & Extraction)(Liberation, Separation, & Extraction)

– Environmental Control & SafetyEnvironmental Control & Safety

What is CERM3?What is CERM3?A multidisciplinary research centre A multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to conducting environmental dedicated to conducting environmental research for the mining industryresearch for the mining industry

CERM3 Mission StatementCERM3 Mission Statement

• Foster High Regard for Sustainable MiningRegard for Sustainable Mining

• Develop Innovative MethodsInnovative Methods to Ensure the Future Sustainability of the Mining Industry

• Train the Next GenerationTrain the Next Generation of Mining Engineers to Meet the New Demands of the 21st Century

• Improve the Image of MiningImage of Mining in Society

What is Sustainable Mining?What is Sustainable Mining?

• How can we possibly mine sustainably?How can we possibly mine sustainably?

– When mined, ore bodies are depletedWhen mined, ore bodies are depleted XX– Land is consumedLand is consumed XX

– Land is restored (reclaimed/remediated)Land is restored (reclaimed/remediated) – Communities are sustainedCommunities are sustained – Best practices are usedBest practices are used – Care and respect is paid to First NationsCare and respect is paid to First Nations

Environmental Monitoring and Environmental Monitoring and ControlControl

Hydrosphere: Hydrosphere: – Acid Rock Drainage - pH and metallic ion Acid Rock Drainage - pH and metallic ion

pollutionpollution

Atmosphere: Atmosphere: – SOSO22 Atmospheric Emission - acid rain Atmospheric Emission - acid rain

– DustDust

– COCO22 emissions (and other GHGs) emissions (and other GHGs)

– Arsenic from some gold mining operationsArsenic from some gold mining operations– Mercury from artisanal mining operationsMercury from artisanal mining operations

Lithosphere: Lithosphere: – Storage of solid waste (tailings and waste rock)Storage of solid waste (tailings and waste rock)

• dustdust

• slope stabilityslope stability

• effluent and solid emissions (catastrophic)effluent and solid emissions (catastrophic)

• landscape impacts (aesthetic)landscape impacts (aesthetic)

Community IssuesCommunity Issues• First Nations and Aboriginal PeopleFirst Nations and Aboriginal People

• land claims land claims and land useand land use

• employmentemployment

• traditional use and cultural issuestraditional use and cultural issues

• Long-term Stability of Small CommunitiesLong-term Stability of Small Communities• creating parallel industries and businessescreating parallel industries and businesses

• providing providing education and healtheducation and health care care

• training and apprenticeship programstraining and apprenticeship programs

• governancegovernance of the community of the community

• mine closure planningmine closure planning

• Global SustainabilityGlobal Sustainability• poverty reductionpoverty reduction in the Third World in the Third World

• cleaning up small-scale and/or legacy mining sitescleaning up small-scale and/or legacy mining sites

• responsible operation: responsible operation: First World standardsFirst World standards

• sharing rewardssharing rewards with local communities with local communities

Sustainable Decision-Sustainable Decision-makingmakingEconomic IssuesEconomic Issues• size and gradesize and grade and type of orebody and type of orebody• available infrastructure (roads, rail, water, power)available infrastructure (roads, rail, water, power)• market conditionsmarket conditions and transportation costs and transportation costs• raw materials supplyraw materials supply

Technical IssuesTechnical Issues• standard processes and proceduresstandard processes and procedures• innovation (Who wants to be first?)innovation (Who wants to be first?)• automationautomation = Improved Performance and Morale = Improved Performance and Morale• safetysafety of the work force and local communities of the work force and local communities

Socio-Political IssuesSocio-Political Issues• respect for local customs and governancerespect for local customs and governance• risk of risk of political uprisingspolitical uprisings• risk of losing risk of losing social licence to minesocial licence to mine• environmental effectsenvironmental effects (water, air, landscape) (water, air, landscape)

Gold Associated with QuartzGold Associated with Quartz

Pouring a Gold BarPouring a Gold Bar

Canadian DiamondsCanadian Diamonds

99.999% Copper (5-9s)99.999% Copper (5-9s)

But besides the Reward, what But besides the Reward, what else?else?

• Before miningBefore mining

• During operationDuring operation

• After operationAfter operation

– – plan for the neighbourhoodplan for the neighbourhood

– – protect the environmentprotect the environment

– – plan for closureplan for closure

– – mitigate/restore the sitemitigate/restore the site

– – sustain the communitiessustain the communities

– – sustain the companysustain the company

Antamina Tailings Dam, Antamina Tailings Dam, PeruPeru

Reclamation at Bluebell Reclamation at Bluebell MineMine

Island Copper Site Island Copper Site ReclamationReclamation

After 20 years of operation, the Island Copper Mine began reclaiming its waste dumps in 1996. Tailings were discharged deep into the adjacent fjord known as Rupert Inlet.

Island Copper Pit FloodingIsland Copper Pit Flooding

Pit was flooded with sea water to create a meromictic lake – 3 layers: Top – clean water; Middle – a reactor for surface ARD; Bottom – retain precipitated solids.

Island Copper Pit FloodingIsland Copper Pit Flooding

Pit was flooded with sea water to create a 3-layer meromictic lake: Top – clean water; Middle – a reactor for surface ARD; Bottom – retain precipitated solids.

Deep Sea Disposal of Deep Sea Disposal of TailingsTailings

EZD – Euphotic depthUWD – Upwelling depthMLD – Mixed Layer depth

Mill

EZD – Euphotic depthUWD – Upwelling depthMLD – Mixed Layer depth

Mill

Reclaimed slopes – Reclaimed slopes – Bullmoose Mine, Bullmoose Mine, B.C.B.C.

Reclaimed pit – Reclaimed pit – IgarapIgarapéé Bahia, Bahia, AmazonAmazon

Mark Creek, KimberleyMark Creek, Kimberley• Sullivan mine reclamation activities atSullivan mine reclamation activities at

Mark Creek, KimberleyMark Creek, Kimberley

Reclaimed Meadow – Reclaimed Meadow – Luscar Luscar Coal, ABCoal, AB

Tailings Reclamation at Vale-IncoTailings Reclamation at Vale-Inco

Flooded Pits – ARD sourceFlooded Pits – ARD source

Three-lift Tailings DamThree-lift Tailings Dam

Tailings Dam failure – Tailings Dam failure – Los Frailes, Los Frailes, SpainSpain

Safety in Mining – slope Safety in Mining – slope stabilitystability

Imagine… A Mine that is Green and Clean

Where• People live, work, and play safely

and local communities can rely on a long-term future

• First Nations work and learn about Mining in a climate that respects their heritage and culture

• Protection of the environment is paramount and Society’s image of Mining is high

Gregg River Coal MineHinton, Alberta

Igarapé Bahia Gold Mine, Carajas, Amazon

Reclamation at Bullmoose

Imagine… The Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, & Materials

That is• Located at UBC-Vancouver

and at Britannia Beach

• Linked virtually to institutions involved with Mining

• Addressing small-scale mining

• Conducting environmental research, and outreaching to communities

• Developing methods to increase safety, reduce costs and improve productivity

Robert Hall Marcello Veiga Les Lavkulich

Kay T

esch

ke

Patrick CondonResearch Team Leaders

Ten world-renowned researchers in their respective fields lead the work

John Meech

Bern Klein

Dave

Dreisi

nger

Dirk Van Zyl

Malcolm Scoble

Life Cycle AnalysisWaste Management

AutomationMineral ProcessingSustainable Mining

Mine Design

Hydrometallurgy

Heap Leaching

Landscape Architecture

Liveable Communities

Epidemiol

ogy

Bridge P

rogra

m

Sustainable Mining

Soil ScienceSmall-scale MiningMercury Pollution

Mining EquipmentMaintenance/Automation

Mineral Processing

Mine-Mill Integration

Sustainable MiningSustainable Mining

Research Collaborations

Extensive Links with International Collaborators

Ecole PolytechniqueMining

McGill UniversityMining and Metallurgy

Laurentian UniversityMining

Queen's UniversityMining

Univ. of SaskatchewanCivil Eng.

University of AlbertaCivil/Mining

University of UtahMining

New Mexico StateMining

University of Chile Mining

CETEMRio de Janeiro

University of CapetownChemical Engineering

Laval UniversityMining and Metallurgy

Massey UniversitySoil and Earth Sciences

Tohoku UniversityMaterials Research Institute

University of HaifaComputational Mathematics

University of OuluElectrical Eng.

University of QueenslandSustainable Minerals Institute

Cardiff University Chemical Eng.

King’s College LondonMechanical Eng.

Tech. Univ. of Denmark Agricultural Sciences

University of SiegenInst. of Automatic Control

RoboticsWaste

ManagementARD

TreatmentPhyto-

ReclamationSuper

ComputerSustainable

MiningMineral

ProcessingBulk Mining

Maintenance/Equipment

Uganda World Bank

UNIDO Global Hg Project

Helsinki University of Technology

Royal Military AcademyMechanical Eng.

M.Eng.Program

Britannia Beach

UBC at Britannia Beach

UBC-CERM3 has been involved at Britannia Beach since 2001 when we installed a plug inside the 2200 Level tunnel to create a research facility.

This plug had the “spin-off” benefit of eliminating all pollution flowing into Britannia Creek and the surface waters of Howe Sound.

UBC to Britannia Beach

Britannia Mine

Millennium Plug Research Project

Pollution Plume – pre 2001

Outcome – September 2011

Numerous Media ReportsNumerous Media ReportsReturn of Adult Pink Salmon to Britannia CreekReturn of Adult Pink Salmon to Britannia Creek

Performance of CERM3 (2001-2011)

Helped create Bridge Program linking health care, policy, and engineering

Bridge Program students wrote 3 successful CIHR proposals ($300,000)

UNIDO Global Mercury Project is managed under UBC-Mining

Large research efforts on Waste Management Methods

First group to address pollution problems at Britannia Mine

UBC-Mining has increased in population to over 300 people

Breakthrough Targets:Breakthrough Targets: - - Integration of Mine/Mill processesIntegration of Mine/Mill processes - - Reduced Comminution EnergyReduced Comminution Energy

- - hyper-velocity strain rateshyper-velocity strain rates - - lower cost fragmentationlower cost fragmentation

Decreased Energy in MiningDecreased Energy in Mining

Facilities:Facilities: - - Rock Fragmentation LabRock Fragmentation Lab -- Simulation Lab Simulation Lab -- High-Pressure Grinding Roll High-Pressure Grinding Roll

Breakthrough Targets:Breakthrough Targets: - - Protocols for passive ARD Protocols for passive ARD

processes for use with high processes for use with high flow/high metalsflow/high metals

Passive ARD Treatment SystemsPassive ARD Treatment Systems

Facilities:Facilities: - - Constructed wetlands & greenhouseConstructed wetlands & greenhouse -- Phytoreclamation & Microbiology labsPhytoreclamation & Microbiology labs

Phytoreclamation

In 2003, CERM3 and Massey University conducted a full-scale field trial in Brazil for CVRD (Vale) to show that “phyto-mining” is possible.

Hyperaccumulation of Gold by Plants

in the ground in the plants target

0.6 g Au/t >>> 60 g Au/t >>> 100 g Au/t

19/5/0307/5/03 12/5/03 28/5/03 27/6/03

Certain plants selectively accumulate metal ions Certain plants selectively accumulate metal ions from the ground – phyto-remediation/reclamation.from the ground – phyto-remediation/reclamation.

Sustainable Mining and Communities

Led by • Dr. Malcolm Scoble

• Dr. Marcello Veiga

Over 25 graduate students

Communities affected by Mining

Small-scale Mining

First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples

Jennifer Hinton (Ph.D. student)working with women in a

Ugandan Mining CommunityGinger Gibson (Ph.D. student) working with NWT Communities

who work at Ekati Diamond Mine (Trudeau Scholar)

Village of Noatak Science Class, Red Dog, Alaska

The Mining Professionals of the 21st Century

The Mining Professors of the 21st Century

Serra Pelada Pit, Amazon, Brazil, 1980

The Environment & Small-scale The Environment & Small-scale MiningMining

• Serra Pelada, AmazonSerra Pelada, Amazon

Serra Pelada Pit, Amazon, Brazil, 1980



• Hg use in Gold-MiningHg use in Gold-Mining


• Serra Pelada, AmazonSerra Pelada, Amazon Serra Pelada, Amazon, Brazil, 2003


• Open-pit AquacultureOpen-pit Aquaculture




• Open-pit AquacultureOpen-pit Aquaculture

• UNIDO ProjectUNIDO Project IndonesiaIndonesia

Africa Africa ((Mozambique, Tanzania, SudanMozambique, Tanzania, Sudan

Zimbabwe, Uganda Zimbabwe, Uganda )) South America South America

((Ecuador, Venezuela, SurinamEcuador, Venezuela, Surinam))

“…“…islands of prosperity in a sea of islands of prosperity in a sea of poverty…”poverty…”

after Marcello Veiga,after Marcello Veiga,

Head, UN Global Mercury ProjectHead, UN Global Mercury Project

and Professor of Mining Eng. at UBCand Professor of Mining Eng. at UBC

GuyanaCachoeira, Brazil

VenezuelaVenezuela

Automation in MiningContinuous, autonomous, bulk methods

CSIRO’s remotely controlled micro-tunnel drilling technology

Mining Automation

Magnetic Levitation Hoisting Team Thunderbird and Autonomous Ground VehiclesTeam Thunderbird and Autonomous Ground Vehicles

Remote Mining from SurfaceRemote Mining from SurfaceNavigation InstrumentationNavigation Instrumentation

Terry Gong with Bebot Miners

Mag Wheels!

Innovative Mining ProcessesInnovative Mining Processes

• Integration of batch processesIntegration of batch processes Hoisting & Underground HaulageHoisting & Underground Haulage

1/4 scale 1/4 scale continuous loop continuous loop Magnetic Levitation Magnetic Levitation Hoisting SystemHoisting System

Supervisor: John MeechSupervisor: John Meech

Student: Ryan UlanskyStudent: Ryan Ulansky

Waste Management Practices

Antamina Mine/Teck-Cominco

Questa Mine/Molycorp

Porgera Mine/Placer-Dome

Led by Dr. Bern Klein and Dr. Ward Wilson

Waste Management and Mine Closure

Geothermal Energy at Britannia Beach

Graph of Monthly Inflow and Height(for constant outflow of 620 m3/h)

Geothermal Capacity at the Britannia Mine Resource and Heat Demand

MonthAvailable Resource1 Heat Demand2 Future Demand3

Ave. inflow (m3/hr) Temp. (°C) Capacity (MWt) kWh t MW t MW t

Jan 450 10.5 3.23 402,000 0.41 3.38

Feb 430 11.0 3.32 384,000 0.44 3.57

Mar 435 11.0 3.36 334,000 0.34 2.81

Apr 505 11.5 4.18 295,000 0.31 2.56

May 885 11.5 7.33 248,000 0.25 2.08

Jun 1240 11.5 10.27 201,000 0.21 1.75

Jul 1035 11.5 8.57 196,000 0.20 1.65

Aug 540 12.0 4.77 202,000 0.21 1.70

Sep 350 12.0 3.09 221,000 0.23 1.92

Oct 375 12.0 3.31 260,000 0.27 2.19

Nov 655 11.0 5.06 318,000 0.34 2.76

Dec 530 10.0 3.51 400,000 0.41 3.36

Total/Ave. 620 11.3 4.98 3,461,000 0.30 2.47

1 based on 95% extraction efficiency, a chill temperature of 4 °C, inflows reported by remediation studies. 2 based on current residential and commercial heating costs (oil, propane, and electricity).3 based on current demand plus expanded Museum activities and 510 new homes in Britannia N. and S.

Heat and Electrical Capacity assuming constant outflow of 620 m3/hour

Month

AverageInflow

(m3/hour)

Average Outflow

(m3/hour)

FlowDifference(m3/hour)

Volume Change

(m3)

Height at Start of

Month (m)*

Heating Capacity(MW t)

Electrical Capacity

(MW) (kWh)

Jan 450 620 -170 -126,480 200 4.45 0.39 290,269

Feb 430 620 -190 -127,680 180 4.79 0.36 245,168

Mar 435 620 -185 -137,640 161 4.79 0.34 252,423

Apr 505 620 -115 -82,800 128 5.13 0.30 213,109

May 885 620 265 197,160 100 5.13 0.26 193,576

Jun 1240 620 620 446,400 157 5.13 0.33 248,993

Jul 1035 620 415 308,760 223 5.13 0.42 302,049

Aug 540 620 -80 -59,520 263 5.48 0.47 351,137

Sep 350 620 -270 -194,400 255 5.48 0.46 332,842

Oct 375 620 -245 -182,280 230 5.48 0.43 319,194

Nov 655 620 35 25,200 206 4.79 0.40 286,133

Dec 530 620 -90 -66,960 209 4.11 0.40 298,923

Ave./Tot. 620 620 0 0 - 4.99 0.38 3,333,815* based on measured volume-height relationship determined by 4100 Level Plug Test in 2002.

Financial Analysis Summary of the four phases of the project (2004 est.)

Phase DescriptionCapital Costs

($x103)

Lot Premium1

($x103)

Annual Revenue ($x103)

Annual Operating

Costs($x103)

Excess Revenue 2

($x103)

Payback Period (years)

Year 1 Demo - 25 units 503 - 79.6 27.3 52.3 9.6

Year 3 Existing – 106 units 2,450 3 - 561.0 133.5 427.5 5.7

Year 4 North - 110 units 1,445 660 330.7 106.6 224.1 3.5

Year 7 South – 400 units 3,244 1,200 1,312.3 439.2 873.1 2.3

Overall 7,262 1,860 2,159.0 706.5 1,452.5 3.7

1 premium on each new lot sold of $3,0002 after local taxes ($50,000) and royalties ($66,820)

3 includes micro-hydropower generation

Rates and royalties assumptions:Current power rates = $ 0.062 / kWh (residential) and $ 0.069 / kWh (commercial)Future power rates = $ 0.082 / kWh (residential) and $ 0.089 / kWh (commercial)Discount rates = 15% from future BC Hydro rates for residents and businessRoyalty payment = $ 2.00 / MWh for thermal powerRoyalty payment = $ 3.00 / MWh for electrical power

Benefits of CERM3 to Canada

Canadian Mining is recognized as second to none (research competition from Australia by AMIRA is fierce)

Strengthens our reputation to protect the environment (emphasizes a global approach to Sustainable Mining)

Commitment to Sustainable Mining (keeps our industry competitive and in demand)

Create facilities to integrate "soft" and "hard“ research (Technical and Socio-Political problems and solutions must be exchanged)

Complement Laurentian University initiative

(Centre of Excellence in Mining) (provides collaboration across Canada in Mining Innovation)

Thanks for your Attention

Good Luck

with the Tutorial Assignments and Quiz

John A. Meech, Professor and Director Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and...

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