- 5 - Generally, metal production in Ontario and elsewhere has four phases: (1) Exploration; (2) development; (3) mining; and (4) processing. 1. Exploration The exploration phase consists of finding and delineating ore reserves. These activities range from prospecting to exploring by aircraft with advanced scientific techniques such as electromagnetic and seismic surveying. Texasgulf Canada discovered minerals near the Kidd Creek Mine by using airborne exploration techniques. 2. Development The development phase includes activities needed to bring a mineral reserve into production. For an underground mine, development activities include sinking a shaft, adit (an almost horizontal entrance to a mine), or ramp from the surface of the ground into the mineral reserves. For an open pit mine, such as the Kidd Creek Mine, development activities include removing waste rock that separates the ore from the surface. 3. Mining The mining phase is the process of extracting ore from the ground, typically by blasting and mechanical removal. 4. Processing The processing phase generally includes three different stages: (a) Milling or concentrating; (b) smelting; and (c)Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011