Community Blue Mountain Open House Plant OPEN HOUSE August 14, 16, 19, 2014
Open House Agenda Nepheline Operations History and current status Nepheline What is it? / Uses? Summary of mining & processing activities Environmental Improvements Upcoming Projects Questions & Answers Tour of Quarry/Tailings
History The Nepheline ore body was discovered in the 1890’s but it’s potential was not recognized until the 1920’s after research into glassware and ceramics Mining has taken place at this site for over 75 years Blue Mountain - since 1955 Nephton – since 1935 Canada was the first country to develop the use of Nepheline as a raw material for glass, ceramic and filler industries and was the world's only producer for many years Unimin’s Nepheline is shipped all over the world including North America, Central America, Europe, Australia and Asia
Canadian Nepheline Operations
Current Status There are 2 operating plants on the property Blue Mountain & Nephton Currently, active mining is conducted adjacent to the Blue Mountain plant site The quarry produces approximately 1,000,000 tons annually Unimin employs ~200 people Unimin is supported by numerous industries, vendors and suppliers in the area
Nepheline A white to light gray medium-grained igneous rock Consists of feldspars, nepheline and minor amounts of mafic minerals, such as biotite, hornblende and magnetite Inert and non-toxic Silica-free so it cannot cause silicosis A preferred source of raw materials for glass manufacturing because it causes glass batches to melt rapidly at lower temperatures, which reduces energy consumption, lengthens the life of the glass furnace and improves the yield and quality of glass
Nepheline Syenite What is it used for ? Ceramics Porcelain Hygiene Products Abrasives Plastics & Filters Glass Paint Insulation
Uses
Nepheline Milling Operations Ore is recovered by drilling, blasting and hauling from traditional open pits. It is processed using dry, mechanical, non-chemical methods including: Crushing Drying Separation (air & magnetic) Screening Grinding Product Storage and Loadout (rail & truck )
Mining The ore is located in a ridge that extends from Blue Mountain plant in the north, to the Nephton plant in the south - a distance of ~ 7 kms For almost 30 years now, mining has been conducted from two quarries adjacent to the Blue Mountain plant site Unimin’s mine planning department has estimated that these two quarries have a mine life of at least 25 years Unimin will continue to expand the quarry footprint to the west and south as the ore quality dictates
Blue Mountain active quarries
Mineral Processing The mine rock is transformed into sand-size and powder-size material and shipped to the customers as bagged or bulk product in trucks and rail cars The rock is processed without chemicals, by dry mechanical processes, including crushers, grinding mills, screens, air classifiers, magnetic separators, conveyors, and bucket elevators Traditionally Unimin ensured that all process changes included dust abatement strategies. More recently, existing and new process changes have considered noise abatement as part of the project scope Process changes are designed for minimizing waste and improving product quality Process changes are authorized by the MOECC prior to construction
Blue Mountain Plant site
Tailings Crushed rock that is not sold as product can be commingled with waste rock but it is usually placed in tailings storage areas Mineral waste is mixed with water and pumped as slurry to the tailings where it settles. Clean decanted water is discharged to the environment as per our ECA (Environmental Compliance Approval) Nepheline tailings are inert and non-toxic The tailings grow and support vegetation Unimin’s consultant designed a tailings that could be advanced vertically in three 5-metre lifts. Unimin secured approval for this tailings design from appropriate agencies. The first lift has now been initiated.
Blue Mountain Tailings
Tailings Dust Management Blue Mountain utilizes three primary methods to control dust lift-off Vegetation – Buckwheat Irrigation – Large Water Cannons Encapsulation – Rock Armour & Gravel 100% of tailings is covered by one or more of these methods Blue Mountain also has contingency plans, where gravel or calcium chloride can be immediately applied to any areas that exhibit liftoff
Blue Mountain Tailings Dust suppression techniques: WATER CANNONS - REVEGETATION & ROCK ARMOUR
Dust Monitoring Results Dust monitoring has occurred around the Kasshabog Lake area in 2012, 2013 and 2014 Results to-date show that Unimin is well below MOECC dust standards Dust mitigation efforts are successful
Noise Concerns Unimin received a number of noise complaints in 2012 & 2013 An independent consultant has confirmed that Unimin operates within MOECC noise standards However, Unimin has taken the following actions to further improve noise impacts: Added numerous silencers to fans Eliminated tonal backup alarms from mobile equipment Continue to work with Kassh Lake residents to identify and reduce specific noise sources
Upcoming Projects Minbloc Packaging project Addition of bag and bulk packaging equip Back up tailings pump project Addition of back up pump and infrastructure Canadian Nepheline Modernization Equipment upgrades and additions Processing rearrangements Building removal and additions
Minbloc Packaging Project This project transfers the Minbloc production of export shipments from Tamms, Illinois to Blue Mountain. Addition of equipment to fill paper bags and bulk sacks with product for shipment Installed in an industrial footprint adjacent to existing buildings Equipment would be removed at closure
Minbloc Packaging Project Location
Back up tailings pump project Addition of back up pump and infrastructure to improve plant reliability Installed in an industrial footprint adjacent to existing buildings Equipment would be removed at closure
Back up Tailings Pump Location
Canadian Nepheline Modernization Equipment upgrades and additions Processing rearrangements Building removal and additions Currently conducting engineering and environmental assessments Environmental information will be used to develop plans to minimize impacts Buildings will be removed at time of mine closure From approval to completion will take 4 to 6 years
Canadian Nepheline Modernization Newer processes & technologies Reduced environmental footprint Less water & energy Closing Nephton 4 to 6 years away
Permitting & Consultation Unimin will obtain environmental permits with appropriate municipal, provincial and federal agencies Unimin will also engage aboriginal communities in consultation Unimin has initiated public consultation with this Open House forum
canadiannepheline.com
Questions & Comments
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