June 7, 2013
The following is being distributed at the request of the Research & Development Corporation:
Academic and Business-led R&D Mining Projects Receive $464,308 Investment
Four mining R&D projects are receiving a total of $464,308 from the
Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC). The
announcement was made today at the annual Baie Verte Mining Conference by
the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Research &
Development Corporation.
“The mining industry in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be a strong
contributor to our economy,” said Minister Hutchings. “Mining has a rich
history of providing rural employment, as well as enhancing industrial
growth. R&D investments of $464,310 demonstrates our government’s commitment
to industry sustainability, and is representative of collaborative efforts
between academia, industry and government.”
Anaconda Mining Inc. is receiving $11,625 to increase efficiency in both its
mining and milling operations at its Pine Cove Mine on the Baie Verte
Peninsula.
“We are extremely pleased with our progress and remain optimistic that our
work with these partners will revolutionize our mining and processing
capability at Pine Cove,” said Allan Cramm, Anaconda’s General Manager.
“Anaconda hopes this enhanced recovery project will allow the operation to
mine what is generally considered today as lower grade ore resulting in a
mine life beyond the 6.5 years currently remaining.”
Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited is receiving funding for two
separate projects, both of which are being carried out at or near its Ming
Copper-Gold Mine on the Baie Verte Peninsula. One project is receiving
$178,439 to research the viability of extracting gold from nearby, exposed,
legacy mine tailings, and the other is receiving $250,000 to test the
technical and economical feasibility of extracting copper from the Ming
Mine’s Lower Footwall Zone.
“We are delighted to be working with RDC on these projects,” said Peter
Mercer, VP, Corporate Development of Rambler Metals & Mining. “Each project
has a particular importance to us. If the test work proves positive,
this research will be useful when combined with other ongoing engineering
studies with the overall goal of improving the project economics for Phase
II of our growth strategy. In addition, the research spearheaded by Memorial
University will be of value, even beyond our own needs.”
Drs. Penny Morrill and Tao Cheng of Memorial University are leading the
fourth project in collaboration with Rambler Metals and Mining and Dr.
Abigail Steel of the Provincial Government’s Mines Branch. They are
receiving $24,244 to support their investigation of improved methods of
remediating acid mine drainage from legacy mine sites.
“Mining has been part of the history of the Baie Verte area for generations
and is an industry which generates employment, and economic opportunities,”
said Kevin Pollard, MHA for the District of Baie Verte-Springdale.
“Investment in research and development projects is positive for the region
and supports opportunity for additional growth.”
Additional details on projects are included in the attached backgrounder.
“RDC is actively supporting R&D projects that will improve the likelihood of
new discoveries, and increase metal recoveries from known deposits,” said
Glenn Janes, Chief Executive Officer of RDC. “By investing in R&D to
develop new and better technical processes, it is possible to extend the
life of our mines for the benefit of both industry and nearby communities
such as Baie Verte.”
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Media contacts:
| Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Victoria Russell Communications Coordinator Research & Development Corporatin 709-758-0308 victoriarussell@rdc.org |
|
Tess Burke Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551 tessburke@gov.nl.ca |
Allan Cramm General Manager Anaconda 709-800-7332 Acramm@anacondamining.com |
|
Peter Mercer VP, Corporate Development Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited 709-800-1929 pmercer@ramblermines.com |
BACKGROUNDER
Funding for Academic and Business-led R&D Mining Projects
About the Research & Development Corporation
RDC is a provincial Crown corporation responsible for improving Newfoundland
and Labrador’s R&D performance. RDC works with R&D stakeholders including
business, academia and government agencies and departments.
Funding for these projects comes from RDC programs, including R&D Proof of
Concept, R&D Vouchers, and GeoEXPLORE. For more information about RDC’s
funding programs, visit www.rdc.org
.
R&D Vouchers
Anaconda Mining Inc.Anaconda Mining Inc. operates the Pine Cove gold mine on the Baie Verte Peninsula. It also has other adjacent properties that it is actively exploring for possible new gold production. The company wishes to enhance its gold recovery by improving the efficiency of its open-pit mining and milling operations. To do this, it plans to research ways to better define ore grades in the pit as a guide to blasting and to deciding what blasted material to transport to the mill; and presenting the ore-grade data in a computerized graphical model for ongoing mine planning. At the milling end, it plans to develop an automated control system for the increased recovery of gold during the flotation process; and to define the specifications for automating the control-system process. Anaconda is working with College of the North Atlantic to develop these research proposals. RDC is supporting this effort through its R&D Vouchers program with funding of $11,625, to a total project cost of $17,000.
GeoEXPLORE Industry-led
Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited
Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited (‘Rambler’) is currently producing
copper concentrate from its new Ming Copper-Gold Mine on the Baie Verte
Peninsula. Shortly before the start of renewed copper production in 2012,
the company had mined, milled and shipped gold doré from a richer section of
the ore body. Near to the company’s mining property there exists the
now-Crown-controlled tailings area left from historic mining activity. These
tailings contain residual gold that was present in the original copper
deposit with grades estimated at 1-2 grams per tonne. Rambler Metals and
Mining will conduct research into the technological and economical
feasibility of recovering that gold by reprocessing the tailings. Testing
will be focused on the “liberation” of gold from its surrounding minerals
and how best to concentrate that gold using various methods. Because the
tailings are from several previously mined ore bodies, each with different
mineral characteristics, the accurate testing of samples from the old
tailings area is essential. Should research results prove positive, it could
lead to a positive environmental impact as the reprocessed tailings would be
treated to more modern standards. RDC is supporting this research by
contributing $178,439 from its Industry-led GeoEXPLORE program for a total
project investment of $238,169.
R&D Proof of Concept
Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited
Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited (‘Rambler’) is currently producing
copper concentrate from its rehabilitated Ming Copper-Gold Mine on the Baie
Verte Peninsula. The higher grade copper ore currently being mined has an
initial mine life of six years with many of the ore zones still open for
future exploration. Below the current development there sits a significantly
larger resource of lower grade copper mineralization in an area known as the
Lower Footwall Zone. Rambler will be carrying out research into ways of
pre-concentrating the copper content in the Lower Footwall Zone to produce a
higher grade product which may be more economically feasible to develop. If
the research is proven positive it may allow the over 18 million tonnes of
lower grade copper mineralization to be included in the minable reserves, in
turn adding to the mine’s life. Considering the larger volumes of copper
concentrate that could be produced from an operation of this size, as part
of the program the company also plans to investigate the thresholds of
building a hydrometallurgical refinery to produce pure copper from
concentrate. RDC is supporting this research by contributing $250,000
through its R&D Proof of Concept program to a total project cost of
$372,668.
GeoEXPLORE Collaborative Research Opportunities
Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial UniversityMining of mineral sulphides (like chalcopyrite, a common copper mineral mined in Newfoundland) produces waste rocks and liquid mine tailings. These tailings contain residual heavy metals such as iron and lead. When exposed to water and air, the mineral sulfides oxidize, producing acid mine drainage (AMD) (acidic water containing high concentrations of heavy metals). If allowed to escape into the general environment, AMD can cause problems for plants, animals and drinking water. To better understand how AMD from mine tailings can be remediated, this research will look at ways of reducing the acidity and heavy metal content of AMD at two former mining sites: the former copper mines of Consolidated Rambler Mines Ltd., and the Gullbridge Copper Mine.
Drs. Penny Morrill and Tao Cheng, environmental geochemists at Memorial, will be collaborating with Dr. Abigail Steel of the Mines Branch, Department of Natural Resources, and personnel with Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited, investigating the potential for remediation of AMD at these sites. Three approaches will be taken to see if: 1) AMD can be remediated naturally; 2) AMD can be remediated by encouraging the growth of special microbes that can reduce the acidity and in turn decrease heavy metal concentrations; and 3) plants can take up heavy metals through their root systems, thereby removing metals from the environment. Part of the experimental work will include testing the use of biofoul (waste from shellfish industry) to create the necessary oxygen-poor conditions that allow beneficial microbes to flourish. A Master’s student and an undergraduate Honour’s student will be part of the research, each producing a thesis. Positive outcomes from the research will improve the environmental sustainability of mining, and alleviate potential threats from legacy tailings. RDC is supporting this research by contributing $24,244 from its GeoEXPLORE Collaborative program to a total project cost of $29,580.
2013 06 07 1:45 p.m.