Engineering & Mining Journal

DEC 2015

Engineering and Mining Journal - Whether the market is copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, lead/zinc, PGM, diamonds or other commodities, E&MJ takes the lead in projecting trends, following development and reporting on the most efficient operating pr

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50 E&MJ; • DECEMBER 2015 www.e-mj.com COMPANY PROFILE-PAID ADVERTISEMENT In the wake of lower commodity prices and increased capital restraints in the mining market, more and more mine owners and operators are looking for ways to achieve savings. Reducing your energy consumption can be an efcient and environmentally friendly way to cut costs. One potential way to lower energy consumption, is to use alternative power sources, such as electric or battery versus diesel powered equipment. "The introduction of Lithium Iron Phosphate technology for mining equipment has improved performance," says Jake Jodouin, Manager-Mine Ventilation at Stantec. "Previously, trade-ofs examined the use of batteries at depth to reduce airflow requirements and heat generation. However, now trade- ofs are focusing on near surface operations in colder regions, areas where increased development is required in existing operations, or design of new operations. We've done a number of studies this year which have demonstrated that battery powered technology has improved enough to enable efcient use of this technology underground for select operations, and provide a potential operating cost savings." Lower energy costs are just one benefit of this shift towards equipment power alternatives. Battery powered equipment also reduces diesel generated pollutants, such as Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM). Lower diesel emissions can lead to a healthier work environment and diferent requirements for mining ventilation systems. Changed ventilation system requirements can mean the possibility of increasing production in a work area without changing the original amount of air flow. "Another way we can reduce DPM in the underground workings is by ofering alternative solutions for primary, and particularly secondary, ventilation system arrangements. Arrangements such as exhaust over-lap and local exhaust ventilation systems have been proven as viable and efective solutions in our experience," says Dr. Pedram Rostami of Stantec's mining team. A third way Stantec helps clients achieve energy savings is by investigating if their ventilation systems can utilize new ducting material technology. New ducting technology, such as PVC hard lines, has, in some cases, lower resistance than conventional ducting. This lower resistance again allows for increased air volume, smaller fan requirements, or the ability to run longer distances between fans. All of these potential modifications would lower both capital and operating costs. "Every operation is diferent," says Jake. "It's very important that we understand our client's current operations in order to make the best possible recommendations. Recommendations, that are creative, realistic and backed by people with experience facilitating change in mining operations." "Stantec's operations experience combined with recent studies of a variety of mining operations, has identified significant benefits of implementing new technology to achieve capital and operating costs savings, while improving the safety and health of mine personnel," remarks Pedram. "We examine various parts of operations, from mine cooling refrigeration, heating, primary and secondary ventilation, to water handling and conducting detailed mine surveys in order to identify the ways we can increase the efciency of ventilation systems and reduce capital and operating costs by up to 35% as indicated by our recent studies." To learn how you could lower yo ur energy consumption and optimize your operations, call: Jake Jodouin Manager-Mine Ventilation at Stantec (705) 566-6891 x 288 jake.jodouin@stantec.com Dr. Pedram Rostami Associate Project Manager, Mining at Stantec (480) 831-0310 x 331 pedram.rostami@stantec.com Lower energy consumption, optimize operations

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