Pierre River Mine Project

MINING AND PROCESSING ERCB SIRS 3 – 38
Table ERCB 27-2: Comparison of Thermal Energy Requirements
Operating Scenario
Thermal
Requirement
(GJ/m 3 )
Natural Gas
Consumed
(GJ/m 3 )
Feed Grade
(wt% Bitumen)
Process
Temperature
(°C)
Winter average-grade ore 2.44 1.37 10.9 40
Winter coarse high-grade ore 2.34 1.42 11.7 40
Summer low-grade ore 2.10 0.37 10.1 40
Summer average-grade ore 1.65 0.46 10.9 40
Summer high-grade ore 1.55 0.50 11.7 40
Question No. 28
Section 4.1
Request Volume 1, Section 10.1, Page 10-132, Supplemental Information Responses.
Shell states, “Details of the commissioning and start-up plan for the Pierre River
Mine ore preparation, primary extraction, froth treatment plants, and asphaltene
recovery unit have not yet been developed.”
28a Clarify Shell’s commitment to provide a commissioning and start-up plan to the
ERCB for review and approval one year prior to the start of commissioning.
Response 28a A commissioning and start-up plan for the Pierre River Mine will be provided to
the ERCB for review and approval one year before commissioning starts.
Question No. 29
Request Volume 1, Section 10.1, Page 10-154 and 10-168, Supplemental Information
Responses.
Shell states, “Of the 21% mineral solids, about 60% are finer than 44μm.” Table
218-5 on Page 10-168 presents the Sand-to-Fines Ratios (SFR) of different
tailings streams. The SFR for the TSRU tailings stream is shown as 1.1:1.
29a Explain the discrepancy in the fines content of the TSRU.
Response 29a The statement “Of the 21% mineral solids, about 60% are finer than 44μm.” in
the May 2009 Pierre River Mine, Supplemental Information, Volume 1, Section
10.1, page 10-154, was incorrect (see also Section 2.3, Supplemental Information
Errata). The correct value used for the Pierre River Mine is about 50% finer than
44 μm, which would result in a sands-to-fines ratio (SFR) of 1:1. The SFR of the
tailings solvent recovery unit (TSRU) stream of 1.1:1 shown in Table 218-5 of
the May 2009 Pierre River Mine, Supplemental Information, Volume 1, Section
10.1, is an estimated SFR based on the general geology at the Pierre River Mine,
and is used for tailings planning.
4-28 Shell Canada Limited April 2010
CR029