Malcolm Scoble Department of Mining Engineering

1
Malcolm ScobleDepartment of Mining Engineering
Ist. CERM3 Symposium 2002
Innovation for SustainableMining an NCE
Initiative
University of British Columbia
2
UBC MININGS MISSION ..
a leader in a new era where mining assumes a
more responsive and responsible role in the
World, helping to address the pressing need for
social equity and sustainability.
Our vision relates to a new generation of

Sustainable Mining
as a mining school we assume the responsibility
for a learning research environment that
generates the highly qualified people, new
technology innovative practices that will
enable the World to achieve a sustainable future.


3
Department of Mining Engineering
BIO-PHYSICAL DIVERSITY
SOCIAL WELLBEING
ECONOMIC SUFFICIENCY
SUSTAINABLE MINING
ETHICAL FOUNDATION
BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS
MINING ENGINEERING
MINERAL RESOURCES
4
UBC Minings Strategic Objectives

• network with industry, government universities
  for education, research, lifelong learning
• address the need for more holistic ,
  interdisciplinary research for sustainable mining
• technology development for advanced, clean,
  integrated mining systems
• balanced strategic tactical research
  

5
Collaborative Research Issues ..

• Diversity of Partners
• Awareness and commitment
• Funding availability
• Recognition of Natural Resources .. Image
• Culture .. Academic, government and industry

6
National Centres of Excellence Program
7
1998 attempt by Canadian Universities to gain
federal funding as part of the national
Network of Centres of Excellence program.
8
1998 competition
Canadian Network for Sustainable Mining
9
(No Transcript)
10

• 2002 NCE LETTER OF INTENT
• NETWORK INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE MINING
  14.6 million federal research operating funding
  over 5 years
• 11 Universities involved to date
• support at least 50 graduate students,
  post-doctoral fellows, and research engineers.
• multi- and cross-disciplinary nature of the
  research will provide unique training
  opportunities, addressing the increased demand
  for broader skill sets that integrate mining,
  environmental and social sciences.
• practical training and experience will be
  provided by significant periods of research
  activity at mine sites, industry laboratories,
  and government facilities, as appropriate to
  individual research projects.
• stimulate the knowledge base of the industry and
  counteract the impending human resources crisis
  that is widely anticipated for the natural
  resources sectors. ISM will help to develop,
  attract and retain the highly qualified people
  required to fuel Canada's innovation performance
  in mining.

11

• ISM VISION
• develop and integrate advanced technologies into
  next generation mining systems that are founded
  on the principles of sustainable development.
• mining activities traditionally conducted above
  ground, such as mineral processing and waste
  disposal, will be immersed into the surface or
  underground excavations of the mine itself. The
  aim will be to create an efficient and closed in
  situ recovery system with zero discharge,
  
  
  enabling remotely
  operated, clean, surgical ore recovery and
  processing that removes workers from hazardous
  workspaces.
• will require the full integration of mining
  excavation, mineral processing and waste
  management systems. This innovation will fulfill
  the need for a radical and challenging departure
  from conventional practice.
• technology development and integration will be
  motivated and managed through a research approach
  with a central commitment to holistic systems
  engineering and risk analysis.
• emphasis will be placed on stakeholder
  participation in mining systems development,
  considering public communication and policy
  strategies.

12

• ISM VISION continued
• will work with all stakeholders to assure the
  full integrity of the host environment and its
  groundwater regime in perpetuity.
• will facilitate resource conservation by the
  exploration and recovery of all available
  minerals with minimal waste generation and ore
  dilution.
• Sustainable mining will be non-intrusive,
  respecting and nurturing the health of its
  dependent communities and all stakeholders.
• will address the constraints of mining in
  environmentally challenging and socially
  sensitive scenarios, such as Canadas Northern
  regions, whilst also prolonging the life of
  existing mining fields.
• technology spin-offs will also answer the need
  to address current and legacy issues relating to
  minings environmental and social impact.
• ISM research aims to enhance competitiveness,
  health and safety, and eco-efficiency. It will
  enable Canada to maintain its global leadership
  as a responsible and innovative natural resource
  developer.

13
 
14
Theme 1 Integrated Subterranean Systems
Engineering Holistic simulation of the mine
life cycle integrating 3D earth models,
production simulation, scheduling, economic
analysis, waste management environmental/social
impact assessment. Coordination of project
functionality compatibility for integration.
Theme 2 Risk Analysis and Communication, Public
Policy Strategies Systems reliability risk
analysis. Public involvement, perception,
communication, policy and regulation. Emergency
response systems. Technology transfer processes.
15
Theme 3 Critical Mine Life Cycle Technologies
Mineral Resources Definition Exploration
technology for enhanced geological delineation
from surface. Integration of geology field
geophysics to generate reliable 3-D images of
mineral resources. Ground Characteristics and
Subterranean Design
Sensing technology to derive geotechnical/hydrogeo
logical characteristics. Life cycle monitoring -
modeling to relate rockmass groundwater
behaviour to mine design.
16
Research Focus
Ore fragmentation technologies Selective stoping
development fracture mechanisms by caving
explosive, propellant, hydraulic other novel
fracture methods electronic timing of
multiple-hole firings. Integration of
conventional mining and mineral
processing Application of comminution, flotation
other conventional technologies as closed,
underground systems. Novel preconcentration
technology and integrated systems. In Situ Metal
Extraction and Recovery Metal extraction
conventional novel lixiviants. Metal separation
recovery processes. Process modeling
optimization. Field monitoring instrumentation
control
17
Production Automation, Remote Monitoring and
Control Subterranean sensing, communications IT
systems. Automation of mobile machine fixed
infrastructure. Manufacturing system concepts for
production management. Mine Waste Disposal
Subterranean disposal of waste rock tailings.
Excavation Containment Lining, Sealing and
Grouting. Paste backfill value added downstream
waste utilization. Groundwater Integrity
Characterization of Waste Geochemistry.
Interaction of groundwater systems with in situ
ore processing, as well as waste disposal
activities on surface underground.
Reclamation and Closure Geochemical, physical
characterization of surface hydrology, the vadose
environment, and groundwater hydrology. Surface
footprint reclamation long-term mine closure
18
NCE Experiences

• Focus
• Players
• Research profile
• Management
• Interface with Industry-Government
• Sequence and Planning

19
GMI, MMSD, TSM CERM3 NCE
outcomes and opportunities for
innovation?
20
Industrial Partners A H Marks and Company
LtdAvecia Ltd. (formerly Zeneca Specialties)
Aventis CropScience UK Ltd (formerly AgrEvo)
BACS (and Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry) Bohlin
Instruments LtdBiocompatibles PC Technology
LtdCampden Chorleywood Food RA CERAM Research
LtdCIBA Speciality ChemicalsCygnus Instruments
LtdDow AgroSciencesDow Corning
GoldschmidtHannah Research Institute (ICI)
IMERYS (formerly ECCI)Infineum (formerly parts
of Shell and Exxon)Institute of Food
ResearchKodakLubrizolMalvern Instruments Ltd
NanomagneticsNanox LtdNestléPaint Research
Association Proctor and Gamble Schlumberger
Cambridge Research Scott Bader Ltd TA
Instruments LtdThermoMicroscopesUnileverXennia
Technology
Academic Partners University of Bristol (Colloid
Group, School of Chemistry) University of Hull
(Surfactant Group, Department of
Chemistry) University of Leeds (Food Colloids
Group, Proctor Department of Food
Science) University of Manchester (Polymer Group,
Department of Chemisty) University of Surrey
(Rheology Group, Department of Chemistry) Imperial
College (Particle Technology Group, Department
of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology)
'Hub Organisations' The Bristol Colloid Centre
(BCC) Campden Chorleywood Food Research
Association (CCFRA) The Institute of Applied
Catalysis (iAc)
A U.K. NETWORKING MODEL .. IMPACT Innovative
Materials development and Product formulation
by the Application of Colloid Technology