Pierre River Mine Project

MINING AND PROCESSING ERCB SIRS 3 – 38
Recovery (%)
Section 4.1
Additional operational improvements gathered from these two facilities will be
considered in the Pierre River Mine design.
Measuring small changes to the calculated annual bitumen recovery is a slow
process. Recent changes made to the Muskeg River Mine operation are starting
to show some improvement (see Figure ERCB 19-1) and Shell expects that this
improvement will continue in 2010 as additional bitumen recovery improvement
initiatives are implemented, such as a new PSC feed well and adjusting pH on the
slurry line.
90
85
80
75
70
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Required Actual
Figure ERCB 19-1: Average Monthly Bitumen Recovery and Improvement Required
Question No. 20
Request Volume 1, Section 10.1, Page.10-96, Supplemental Information Responses.
Shell states “Generally, the higher grade ores are associated with higher than
average recovery, and produce froth with lower water content. Bitumen recovery
at these higher rates and higher grades were within expectations.” Table 167-2
indicates that an overall recovery of greater than 90% was achieved for 7 out of
16 days based on the data provided.
20a Explain what Shell considers “within expectations” for bitumen recovery as
mentioned above.
Response 20a The statement cited was part of a larger response in reference to the impact of
higher rates on recovery. The data shown in the May 2009 Pierre River Mine,
Supplemental Information, Volume 1, SIR 167 was used to indicate that, during
that time period, recoveries at high rates were as good or better than average
performance.
4-18 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
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