New life for Canadian mine - Atlas Copco

BORSSmallerholes andsound retention benefitsenvironment at CanadianMalartic.The Pit Viper 235 is used for single pass drillingof 12 m deep holes for the 10 m high benches.is to have no dust or vibration outside themine,” says Vezina.The mine has purchased 300 blast matsand expects to purchase 100 more to usewhen blasting close to the berm.Vezina likes the automation and precisionadvantages that come with the RCS systemon the rig. “This is intelligent equipment.You just push a button and let it drill,” hesays. The auto-drilling system starts offslower when collaring the hole, which alsoreduces ambient noise.The technicians also prefer theservice advantages with the PV-235 saysMaintenance Superintendent Bob Hamilton.Monitoring the windPlanning each day starts with the weatherforecast, especially wind direction. Themine cannot have dust carried into town,yet the crusher needs to be fed. “Here weneed to plan farther out because we couldhave unfavorable wind five days in a row,”says Vezina.The miners also have to plan for soundbecause of the wind. Wind direction affectsthe sound attenuation and can transportsound farther than expected, but the PV-235size advantages reduces this problem.Vezina explains: “People find our blastboring to watch because you don’t see alot of rock flying around and don’t feel theground vibrating too much. But this is whatwe want to achieve.”In the first quarter of 2011, the mineblasted 150 000 tons per day. Osiskooperates with a 2:1 waste to ore ratio. Themine is expected to produce 250 000 ouncesof gold in 2011 and over 700 000 in 2012.The pit is projected to be approximately3 km x 10 km with a depth of 400 m. Toassist in controlling the blast, the pattern is6 m x 6m x 9.7 m The goal is to create thesmallest rock possible.Rebirth of a townThe opening of the Malartic mine hasbeen a boon to the small community. Althoughthe town is on the main road leadingto Montreal, it was just a town to driveby. With the investment from the mine ofnew neighborhoods and a USD 16 millionelementar y school construction, the town of3 000 is now growing again.Thibault says: “We consider ourselvesguests, and we want to leave the town betteroff. Originally the budget was USD 15Mining & Construction – 3 / 2011 9