Press Release Database

1
Ontario Mineral Industry Cluster Council (OMICC)
Sub-Committee on Mining Innovation Working
Group Deep Mining
Charles Graham CAMIRO
Samantha Espley Brian Maynard Inco Ltd.
Parviz Farsangi John Vary Falconbridge Ltd.
February 10, 2005 Sudbury, Ontario
2
Mining Innovation Deep Mining
Challenges Opportunities Key Research
Direction Lead Organizations Collaborators Resourc
es Required Manpower Capital
(Infrastructure) Operating (Direct,
In-kind) Benefits Timeline/Milestones
3
Depth Extent Size of Some Sudbury Ore Deposits
surface
Strathcona Mine
Copper Cliff Mines
Frood Stobie Mine
Garson Mine
East Mine
Falconbridge Mine
Fraser Mine
Craig Mine
Creighton Mine
Nickel Rim / Victor Deposit
Depth Below Surface (m)
Onaping Depth
current limit of mining In Sudbury
Deposit
Creighton Depth
Deposit
1
10
100
1000
Past or current producer
Million Tonnes
Undeveloped deposit
4
Sudbury Basin Composite Assays from
DrillingNickel Grade () vs Depth
5
Opportunity - Existing Infrastructure

• By virtue of our steeply dipping orebodies, we
  can expect that new mining will occur below
  current workings. Therefore, deep mining
  maximizes the usefulness of existing
  infrastructure both in the mine sites and in the
  surrounding communities.
• Deep Mining Research is important to our
  industry because it allows us to make more
  effective use of resources. Development of new
  innovations and processes is vital to remaining
  competitive and ensuring the future prosperity of
  this sector in the region. C. Graham, CAMIRO

6
Key Research Directions

• History of DMRC
• CANMET convened an industry meeting in 2001
• A common interest in technologies to enable deep
  mining activities spun off the DMRC
• Strong Industry Government commitment
• We have the best people working on this and
  there are some key projects which are going to
  impact everyone. Developing safe deep mining is
  so important to the industry that companies that
  compete are working together. - P. Farsangi, GM
  Mines/Mill Falconbridge
• FedNor is committed to building on strengths in
  the economy. By investing in research, we can
  help this important industry increase its
  productivity, control costs, and maintain
  employment across the North. Hon. D. Marleau,
  MP Sudbury

7
Key Research Directions

• RD Management Team
• DMRC Management Board Technical Committee
• Work Completed 2003-2004
• Safe Rapid Development Fast Drifting Scope,
  Business Case Process Simulation Logic/Model
• Work In Progress 2005
• Heat Stress (1.4M)
• Gelfill as Alternative Backfill (750k)
• Diesel Engines at Depth (100k)
• Hoist Rope Inspection Automation (335k)
• Evaluated Projects Awaiting Funding

8
DMRC Project Heat Stress
9
DMRC Project Gelfill
10
DMRC Project Diesels at Depth
11
DMRC Project Hoist Rope Inspection
12
Future Research Priorities

• Regulations Hoisting, Work Regime
• Geophysics Applied to Deep Mining
• Development Drift Risk Assessment
• Rapid Development
• Rock Stress/Seismicity Management
• Deep Mining Equipment
• Material Handling
• Ventilation

13
Lead Organizations

• Agnico Eagle
• Barrick
• Falconbridge (2)
• Goldcorp
• Inco (2)
• Placer Dome
• Rio Tinto

• NOHFC
• FedNor
• CANMET
• D.E.C.
• City of Greater Sudbury
• CAMIRO
• Ministry of Labour

14
Opportunities for Collaboration

• Industry Government
• Researchers and Agencies
• NORCAT, MIRARCO, CANMET
• SOREDEM, CAMIRO, AMIRA
• WSIB, NRC, Universities
• Gellivare, Mass Mining Technologies, MiningTek,
  etc.
• Commercializers
• Small/Medium Enterprises in Northern Ontario
• There has been significant learning about deep
  mining in recent years which has led to economic
  benefits spreading through our universities,
  communities, and governments.  Let's continue the
  learning in Ontario while we still have deep
  mines in operation, in order to secure a positive
  future for new orebodies in our province and
  Canada . B. Maynard, Inco

15
Future Resources Required

• 10 -12 full time researchers with working space
• Funding sources
• 15 million from Governments
• 5 million direct from Industry
• 10 million in-kind from Industry

16
Benefits to Research

• Common Vision
• Stable funding
• Clear focus on research and results
• Industry buy-in
• Community buy-in SME interest
• Established research process DMRC
• Financial control/governance

17
Benefits to Industry

• Research will make new mining possible by
  reducing mining costs and managing risks. These
  are made possible by the creation of the
  applicable technology.
• Mining operations in Northern Ontario will be
  sustainable with long-term profitability.
• Northern Ontario mines will be world leaders for
  safe, quality, productive mining.

18
Benefits to Community

• Northern Ontario SMEs will be world leaders for
  technology applications to deep mining.
• New mines will employee 500 people for 15 years
  paying over 16 Million/year in income taxes
• Neighbouring communities will employ 1500 people
  in supply and services
• By looking at ways to safely and profitably go
  deeper with our mining operations, we are
  extending the lives of several existing mines in
  the area. This is great news for mining
  contractors, suppliers, and the economy of the
  region. Hon. R. Bonin, MP Nickel Belt

19
Timeline/Milestones

• Phase 1 DMRC (underway) 2003 to 2008
• Key Milestones
• Continue with 4 current projects
• Initiate new projects, as funding permits
• Initiate commercialization for applicable
  products
• Generate annual achievement report reviewing each
  project with respect to
• Impact on Deep Mining
• Impact on Northern Ontario communities
• Impact on Commercialization

20
Timeline/Milestones

• Phase 2 DMRC Target Dates 2010 to 2015
• Phase 2 needs broad input with focus and control
  building on the success of DMRC-1
• Key Milestones
• 2006-8
• Define future program, funding s and focus
  areas ensure support/buy-in from Northern
  Ontario Communities/SMEs
• 2008-10
• Define projects, researchers sub-committee
  details develop specific commercialization
  strategies
• 2010-15
• Project work, implementation commercialization

21
Sub-Committee on Mining Innovation Working
Group Deep Mining
If we fail to pursue mining at depth, we risk
losing a major economic engine. J. Gammon,
MNDM Ultimately, we hope the results are this
people that are working today can continue
working because we found a way to mine the
reserves in the ground. C. Graham,
CAMIRO Thank You!