Technology Initiatives - A Highway to the Future, presented by Peter Kondos at 2013 CMIC Signature Event
- 1. Collaboration and Innovation: The Future of Canadian Mining Technology Initiatives – A Highway to the Future by Peter Kondos Chair, Technical Committee Presentation to the CMIC Signature Event Toronto, February 12, 2013 1
- 2. Technology Initiatives A Highway to the Future Outline: • CMIC R&D Strategy • Discovery – Exploration • Extraction – Mining – Processing • Closure – Environmental stewardship and tailings – Oil sands tailings • Energy • Green Mining Initiative • HQP • New Opportunities
- 3. CMIC - Delivering the Pan-Canadian Mining Research and Innovation Strategy Highly Qualified Personnel Discovery Extraction Closure Energy License to Operate/Sustainability
- 4. Exploration Initiative • Champion: François Robert (Barrick Gold) • Research Director: Alan Galley • Current membership: 35 partners: – 16 producers and 4 explorers – 15 service providers – PDAC and NRCan • Special links: – NRCan-GSC (TGI-4); PDAC; CAMIRO • Initiated: 2010 • Flagship project: – The Footprint project 4
- 5. Exploration Initiative Two programs for improved targeting: • At depth in mature mining camps – Defining detectable footprints – 3D mapping of geology at depth – Real-time data from drilling • In remote and covered areas – Identifying new fertile districts – Improved mapping of sub-surface – Dispersion in surficial cover 5
- 6. Mining Initiative • Champion: Alex Henderson (Vale) • Current membership: 15 members • Surface Mining, Underground Softrock Mining and Underground Hardrock Mining • Key areas for improvements: – Development rate – Roy Slack (Cementation Canada) – Productive capacity – Jim Gallagher (Hatch) – Deep mining – Logistics – Physical environment • Two sub-committees in final stages of preparing White Papers for the initial two key areas for improvement 6
- 7. Processing Initiative • Champion: Rob Henderson (Amerigo Resources) • Current membership: Agnico-Eagle; Barrick Gold; CAMIRO; COREM; Goldcorp; Hatch; Hydro-Québec; Amerigo; K.P.M.; S.R.C.; Teck; Vale; Xstrata Technology Canada; Yukon College • Initiated: May 2011 • Current priority: – Form a Canadian Centre of Excellence on Comminution, led by Bern Klein (UBC), and aiming to: (a) create an internationally recognized centre, (b) create new opportunities for Canadian firms and institutions to access world-class equipment, facilities and networks, (c) promote the commercialization and implementation of new comminution technologies (d) Develop Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) – Evaluate a proposal on the Implementation of sensor- based mine-mill integration techniques to reduce comminution energy - Minesense , Andrew Bamber. 7
- 8. Environmental Stewardship and Tailings Initiative • Champion: Mark Thorpe (Golden Star Resources) • Current membership: 12 and counting • Some the tailings initiative members tasks were taken over by people from the same company on the ESTI • Start up: – 1st quarter 2012 – Currently identifying committee members 8
- 9. Progress to date (i) • Environmental Stewardship Initiative Scoping Report completed by Hatch – Currently incorporating tailings section in to the Scoping Report • Selected 4 areas for further work: – Groundwater: focus on remote sensing and definition in mining areas – Aquatic toxicology: ecosystem and species toxicity of complex discharge water – ARD: want to extend the work completed by MEND in partnership – Environmental Management Plans 9
- 10. Progress to date (ii) • Tailings section for Scoping Report reviewed and will be incorporated • Scoping Report to be released to the public at Signature Event • Pre-feasibility terms of reference defined for ground water, aquatic toxicity, and ARD • Quick win anticipated for EMS, so to move directly to feasibility 10
- 11. Oil Sands Tailings Consortium • Over 150 leaders participated in CMIC Regional Workshops: Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto, Val-d’Or, Montréal and Halifax • Edmonton session identifies oil sands tailings as an opportunity for collaboration • CMIC Board supports oil sands tailings collaboration as a national priority • While not a CMIC initiative, CMIC assisted in creation of consortium (by CMIC VP Gordon Winkel) • group of 7 oil sands companies who are sharing research among the consortium members • Consortium a CMIC member; consortium provided a template for formation of a wider collaboration for environmental technology called the Canadian Oil Sands Innovation Alliance. 11
- 12. Energy Initiative • Champion: Fernando Carrascal (Goldcorp) • Current membership: Agnico-Eagle; Barrick Gold; B.C. Hydro; Goldcorp; Hatch; Hydro-Québec; Kinross; Laurentian U.; McGill U.; NRCan-GSC; Teck; UBC; Vale; Xstrata Nickel; ArcelorMittal; Cameco; • Initiated: May 2011 • Current priorities: – Energy intensity, efficiency and sustainability • Comminution (collaboration with Mining and Processing) – Power generation, security, cost and renewables • During 2012 a consortium of academics presented a proposal to work on 25 energy research projects. After evaluation it was decided to reduce the scope and focus on one or two that will add the most value to all members • Next steps: – First half of 2013 to assess each member needs for research in energy and select research projects – Second half of 2013 to initiative selected projects 12
- 13. Green Mining Initiative • Champion: Magdi Habib (NRCan) • Current membership: Over 50 partners currently involved in GMI projects • Close relationship with CMIC: co-chair of GMI Advisory Committee; support to CMIC secretariat and technical committees • Initiated: May 2009 • Current priorities: – Northern Minerals Development – Strategic and Critical Metals Processing – Mining Extraction Innovation – Energy Efficiency in Mining and Milling – Best Practices in Mining Environmental Management – Clean Water
- 14. GMI Alignment with Natural Resources Canada Priorities* Unlock Resources Potential Through Responsible Development Northern Minerals Development Best Practices in Mining Clean Water Environmental Management Expand Markets and Strategic and Critical S&T Knowledge for Safety Global Partnership Metals Processing And Security Risk Management Energy Efficiency in Mining and Milling Radioactive Waste Management Mining Extraction Innovation Innovate for Competitiveness & Environmental Performance NRCan Priorities CanmetMINING Priorities *Priorities also aligned with industry priorities: CMIC, Mining Association of Canada, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation , etc.
- 15. Green Mining Initiative – Moving forward • Expand scope of GMI internationally – Develop collaborative and market opportunities – Canada-China Green Mining workshop on March 4th – Explore other opportunities with India, Brazil, Finland, etc. • Address implementation challenges related to green mining technologies, working closely with provinces and territories – Improve Industry/Regulators Engagement and Communication – Assess the feasibility of a green mining verification program – Assess the use of outcome-based regulations to foster mining innovation
- 16. HQP • Champion: Teresa Barrett (McGill U) • Current membership: 14 organizations • Main priorities for 2013: – Improving the impact of Canadian Mining Engineering programs; – Recognition of college/CEGEP-level credits by University programs; – Addressing mining cycle’s effects on student enrolment and activity; – Aboriginal education in mining
- 17. New Research & Innovation Opportunities • Iron Ore Consortium: – strong interest and leadership – from exploration to mine closure – breaking down the barriers between the various parts of the mining cycle – broad consultation through a meeting in April (led by Dean Journeaux) and a technical workshop in late spring 17
- 18. New Research & Innovation Opportunities Northern Lights Innovation Initiative – new mining districts targeted o Plan Nord in Quebec o Ring of Fire in Ontario o BC North and Northern Territories – unique challenges & opportunities: infrastructure/ logistics, energy/power, HQP, first nation communities, environment/footprint – a powerful core industry group under development to drive technology & innovation – departure from the conventional mining operation into a compact, integrated mine fit to perform in remote, northern climate, in harmony with the environment and the communities 18
- 19. Northern Lights Innovation A Unique Opportunity in Canada’s Future Technology Innovation Energy footprint and Power Supply Environmental Transportation footprint logistics Canada North: New Mining Districts Canadian public (federal HQP government & provinces) Fir st Nations 19
- 20. Technology Initiatives A Highway to the Future Join Us … The Fun Has Began 20
- 21. Exploration Initiative Projects in development: • Integrated multi-parameter deposit footprints – Improve detectable signature of deposits – Focus on Gold, Copper and Uranium – University team preparing proposal • Down-hole muon geotomography – Technique developed by AAPS – 3D mapping of dense orebodies with sub- atomic particles • Lightweight, heli-portable core rig – For mapping bedrock in remote / covered areas – Reduce cost, improve efficiency 21
- 22. Targets 2013 • Pre-feasibility studies completed in Q2 2013 • EMS feasibility study completed Q2 2013 • Selection of academics and partners for EMS by Q3 2013 • Start work on EMS Q4 2013 • Meeting with academic on pre-feasibility studies Q4 2013 22
- 23. Northern Mining Districts • Nunavut: – BIF-hosted Au, Mary River Fe Ore, and Thelon-associated Uranium • NWT: – Natchalako REE, BIF-hosted Au, Ag-rich VMS, IOCG • Yukon: – Intrusion-associated and Carlin-type Au (Minto, White Au, Raka(?)) – Porphyry-epithermal Cu-Au – Ag-Zn-Pb districts (Selwyn, Mayo) – W district (Cantung, Logtung) 23
- 24. Northern Mining Districts • Newfoundland-Labrador – Labrador Trough Fe ore – REE Strange Lake – Basement-hosted uranium • Quebec North: – Labrador Trough Fe ore – Cape Smith Ni-Cu-PGE – Li, REE (Strange Lake) – Sediment-hosted Au (Roberto) – Unconformity U (Matouche) – Diamonds (Renard) • Ontario: – Cr, Ni-Cu-PGE, V (Ring of Fire-McFauld’s) – BIF-hosted Au (Musselwhite) – Diamonds (Victor) 24 – Bulk tonnage Au (Detour Lake)
- 25. Northern Mining Districts • Saskatchewan – Athabasca U (?) • British Columbia – Cu-Au porphyry (Galore, Shaft) – Epithermal Au (Iskut region) – VMS (Tulesquah) 25
Editor's Notes
- This is how we plan to deliver our strategy HQP, Innovation, collaboration,, targeted research and branding, covering all aspects of mining activity
- This is how we plan to deliver our strategy HQP, Innovation, collaboration,, targeted research and branding, covering all aspects of mining activity
- Our first formal meeting was in January 2009 (it is a long and slow road to get this going, but we are almost there!) The list of members as a series of names will have limited impact. 2 options: 1- Group them by categories (will show that different stakeholders are involved): Exploration/mining companies (Majors and Juniors): Altius Minerals; Anglo American; Barrick Gold; Cameco; Cliffs Resources; De Beers Canada; Gedex; Goldfields Exploration; Goldcorp; Iamgold; HudBay; Kinross; Shore Gold; Teck; Ur Energy; Vale; Western Potash Service Providers : AAPS, Abitibi Geophysique, Boart Longyear; DGI Geosciences; Fugro Airborne; SRK; Special Links : CAMIRO, NRCan-GSC, PDAC 2- Show their logos (I have a slide that does this if this is of interest.
- Industry partners have used this research framework to develop a 2 R&D programs on a 10 year timeframe: Focused on improving exploration targeting and in two contexts very relevant to Canada : Deep mature mining camps (where new satellite orebodies can still be discovered at depth) Remote and covered regions of Canada, especially in the North (where there is major potential but where exploration is expensive and difficult) For each program component, we have defined a number of key topics to be addressed through a number of specific R&D projects.
- We are currently working through the problem statements for each of these critical issues for the underground hard rock industry. No progress on the soft rock or the surface mining areas. We will now be looking to expand the team to include suppliers and researchers.
- (note: both the mining and processing groups have flagged this – clearly a priority that requires coordination)
- Northern Minerals Development - development of unique set of technologies to ensure protection of the fragile northern ecosystem (e.g., treatment / waste management technologies) Strategic and Critical Metals Processing - Support the creation of a Canadian Rare Earth Industry through new cleaner and more efficient technologies. Mining Extraction Innovation - reduce the risk for mining extraction in deep mines and increase use of innovative extraction technologies (e.g., explosives-free rock breakage) Energy Efficiency in Mining and Milling - comminution innovation, green mining vehicles and ventilation automation Best Practices in Mining Environmental Management - Develop, improve, evaluate and demonstrate technologies (e.g., tailings management) and transfer of Canadian expertise and technologies internationally Clean Water – address water usage through innovation (e.g., recycling and removal of process contaminants, water and effluent management)
- This slide highlights the alignment of CanmetMINING / GMI priorities NRCan priorities by mapping them against each other.
- There are now 3 projects in advanced stages of development Integrated multi-parameter footprints of type deposits : Develop a methodology for defining detectable deposit signatures by integrating a wide range of parameters from on the same sets of samples. Initial focus will be on magmatic Cu-Ni, porphyry-Cu , unconformity-type uranium, lode gold deposits. A University-based team has been assembled to further develop the proposal and to carry out the work. Downhole sensor for muon geotomography : Develop down-hole sensors to apply this technique to deep near-mine exploration. Muon geotomography is a technique developed by Advanced Applied Physics Solutions for 3D mapping of density variations in a given rock volume to detect dense orebodies (e.g. sulfide-rich ores) Lightweight, heli-portable core rig : Develop a drill rig that can easily be transported by helicopter in remote regions that can drill through a variety of overburden cover to obtain a core sample from bedrock – to map bedrock beneath cover