Quebec association’s research focuses on narrow-vein mining

In 1989-90, research was one of the Quebec Mining Association’s three priorities. The main problems consist in the need to transform narrow-vein exploration technology so as to considerably increase the output of these operations and to promote occupational health and safety in these mines. The objective is to permit this type of mining company to remain competitive, in the medium term, on the international market. Research on narrow-vein deposits began in 1988 and phase I has been completed. At this stage, general problems were defined and activities planned for phase II, which should be completed in the coming year. At present, work consists of totally reviewing existing narrow-vein technology. This will help define the direction the work of phase III will take, while keeping our mine operators abreast of the current state of knowledge in this field.

At the same time, our operators will have the opportunity to modify some practices and benefit fully from modern technology. This work, which will amount to approximately $425,000 will be financed by the Canada-Quebec Subsidiary Agreement on Mineral Development.

The third phase of research will be much more complex and more expensive. New technologies will have to be tested, new equipment designed, existing equipment altered, and experimental mines set up. It is difficult to be more specific so long as work in phase II is not completed.

The committee’s main concern at the present time is the project’s funding. We have seriously studied the possibility of research being carried out with the backing of the technological development fund, and it is still possible for the committee to take this route. We have noticed that several members were already conducting research and that it is advisable to co-ordinate all these activities to our greatest advantage.

It has therefore been decided that each member likely to be involved or interested in the project be contacted to determine if the company wants to be responsible for managing the project, or take part in it as a member of a consortium.

The committee hopes to find a solution to the financing of the project by the end of 1990 and should succeed in doing so.

The committee did not restrict itself to the sole narrow-vein mining project. It monitored the work, since completed, on the link between the production bonus and productivity, it has endorsed Universite Laval’s automation project on ore dressing, it has backed the McGill University’s project on the feasibility of backfilling underground mines and it is taking part in the National Research Council’s project on the use of membranes to recover heavy metals from mining effluents. The Research Committee is chaired by Serge Gagnon of Aurizon Mines.005 0000,0506 Claude Drouin is general manager of the Quebec Mining Association. This is an excerpt from his article published in the association’s Annual Report 1989-90.