NSERC grants at Laurentian University Subventions du CRSNG `a l ...

118Vassilios KazakidisIn partnership with/En collaboration avec FalconbridgeQuantifying the value of quality/performance of rapid lateraldevelopment cycle in deep underground minesA grant of $ 57,500 for two years.Une subvention de 57,500 $ pour deux ans.Collaborative Research and Development Grant –Subventions de recherche et développement coopérativeRapid development in Canadian underground mining operations is importantfor enabling the exploitation of deep mineral resources that are presentlycharacterized as marginal. In a world of widening competition and uncertainty,the ability of the mineral resource sector to adopt new technologies iscritical for its survival. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to limittechnical risk aspects of bankable feasibility studies by applying only proventechnologies. The direct application of technologies from other industries tomining faces several unique challenges.These challenges relate to the multidimensional aspects of mineral resourceprojects, coupled with the high degree of uncertainty that is usually present,and the traditional conservatism of the minerals sector. This makes imperativethe rigorous testing of technologies in mining operations prior to theirbecoming acceptable for ordinary practice by corporate management andoperators.The issue of rapid development process alternatives is one of the intensivefocus areas of Fa1conbridge Ltd. Quality management is critical in order tomeet performance targets set in terms of completion time and cost. Thisproject focuses on evaluation of the quality aspects of subsystem alternativesthat can be implemented in order to achieve reliable rapid rates of advancein lateral development.