First Quantum Minerals (Canada)

Abstract The tectono‐stratigraphic development of continental basins is critical to an understanding of continental tectonics and the formation of metal deposits. The Neoproterozoic, inter‐cratonic Katangan copper basin of Central Africa records a tectono‐stratigraphic evolution and the generation of potential metal transporting fluid pathways. Integration of lithospheric structure, quantitative basin analysis, sediment routing systems, and basin structure defines the tectono‐stratigraphic model of the basin. The basin lies between the Congo and Kalahari cratons, on lithosphere distinctly thinner than the adjacent craton cores. Crustal scale fault zones parallel the craton margins and suggest lithospheric weaknesses influenced the basin shape. Basin subsidence analysis indicates two phases of rift‐driven subsidence and increasing lithospheric extension from the basin boundary to a Central Rift Zone (CRZ). The CRZ also marks a sediment provenance boundary. Drill core and seismic reflection data show extensional, half graben geometries. Subsequent, Late Ediacaran and Cambrian orogenesis and basin closure and inversion occurred regionally and most intensively within the CRZ. The deformation resulted in crustal thickening, preserved as a ∼50 km wide zone of garnet‐amphibolite facies metamorphism. The CRZ is underlain by relatively thin, continental lithosphere, and is characterized by intense orogenic tectonics and inversion of the earlier formed rifts. The reactivated fault structures imply crustal weakening and define several tectonic domains that occur as fluid pathways for high volume fluid migration of metal bearing brines.

Direct current and induced polarisation methods are applied in mining exploration to identify sulfide sources or for the structural study of the subsurface, allowing us to infer discontinuities or permeability zones which may be associated with hydrothermal systems in copper porphyry systems. In this study, DCIP survey data are inverted to obtain resistivity and chargeability models used to define drilling targets. Geological and geochemical surface mapping is used in mineral exploration to identify areas of economic interest, and drill holes to study the subsurface. This geological and geochemical information is complemented with petrophysical information, in this case magnetic susceptibility, resistivity and chargeability measured on drill core. This petrophysical information is used to constrain inversions in conjunction with a lithological model of the subsurface, which was obtained with a drilling campaign of four holes.

In 2011, an industrial copper mine was developed in northwestern Zambia. A health impact assessment was conducted to anticipate and address potential health impacts. To monitor these impacts, three community-based surveys were conducted in the area (2011, 2015 and 2019). We analysed these data to determine how household socioeconomic indicators – considered determinants of health – have changed in the area over time. In mine-impacted communities, between 2011 (pre-construction) and 2019, significant changes were observed for: (i) average household size (-0.6 members); (ii) proportion of mothers that have not completed primary school (+20.4%); (iii) ownership of economic assets (e.g. phones +29.3%; televisions +15.6%); (iv) access to safe drinking water (+27.4%); and (v) improved housing structures (e.g. finished roof +58.6%). When comparing changes between 2015 and 2019 in impacted communities to nearby comparison communities, there was (i) an increased proportion of mothers that had not completed primary school in comparison communities vs. no change in impacted communities; and (ii) increased ownership of economic assets in impacted vs. comparison communities in 2019. This study found generally positive changes in the socioeconomic development of impacted compared to comparison communities, with the most pronounced improvements in the early phases of mine development.

Responsive photonic crystals have potential applications in mechanical sensors and soft displays; however, new materials are constantly desired to provide new innovations and improve on existing technologies. To address this, we report stretchable chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) elastomer composites that exhibit reversible visible color upon the application of mechanical stress. When stretched (or compressed) the colorless materials maintain their chiral nematic structure but the helical pitch is reduced into the visible region, resulting in coloration of the CNC-elastomer composite. By increasing the percentage elongation of the material (ca. 50-300 %), the structural color can be tuned from red to blue. The color of the materials was characterized by reflectance optical microscopy and reflectance circular dichroism to confirm the wavelength and polarization of the reflected light. We also probed the mechanism of the structural color using 2D-X-ray diffraction. Finally, by either water-patterning the starting CNC film, or by forming a CNC film with gradient color, through masked evaporation, we were able to prepare encoded stretchable chiral nematic CNC-elastomers.

Acoustic emission (AE) test is a powerful technique for examining the sounds of cracks growing, breaking, and other modes of damage in cementitious materials deforming under stress, such as rock-cemented tailings matrix composites (RCTMC). RCTMC, an engineered mixture of tailings, cement, rock, and water, is widely used to fulfill numerous important roles at underground mine sites as a construction material and a ground support tool. To study the mechanical strength and AE properties of RCTMC, compression testing was carried out using a triaxial compression test system (TAW-2000) and AE monitoring system (PCI-2), and the failure modes of samples were also examined. Results have shown that (1) the failure process of RCTMC samples can be divided into six main stages: compaction, linear elastic characteristic, crack growth, primary damage development, cemented tailings backfill withstand stress zone, and secondary damage development stage. CTB has the strengthening effect on mechanical strength of rock; (2) the AE process can be also divided into six main stages: the prepeak quiescence period, the elastic energy reserve period, the first destruction development AE area, the secondary energy reserve period, the second damage development stage, and the postpeak calm period; and (3) samples’ cumulative ring count is “stepped” distribution over time, and the ring count has entered the postpeak flat stage after many active periods. The process of RCTMC samples from tensile to shear failure mode is represented by numerical simulation. Finally, the obtained experimental results can offer a useful reference for the further study of the mechanism of the surrounding rock and cemented tailings backfill structure.

The headmaster as a leader in a school has a very important role. This study aims to determine the effect of the headmaster leadership style on teacher performance at State Vocational School 1 Gowa. This research is quantitative research. Respondents were all teachers of State Vocational School 1 Gowa. Data collection techniques used through observation, questionnaires (questionnaires), interviews and documentation. Data obtained from the results of the study were processed using data analysis techniques consisting of descriptive analysis techniques and inferential statistical analysis. The results showed that the influence of the leadership style of the principal of the State Vocational School 1 Gowa was in a very good category with a percentage rate of 84.03 percent, and for the teacher performance of the State Vocational School 1 Gowa included in the very good category with a percentage rate of 84.49 percent. This can be proven by the results of the moment product correlation analysis of 0.280, which means the level of relations in the low category. It can be concluded that there is a Positive and Significant Influence of the influence of headmaster leadership style on the performance of teachers at State Vocational School 1 Gowa, seen from several indicators of leadership variables, namely directing style coaching style, and supporting style. Teacher performance variables, namely as learning designers, as instructors of learning, as managers of learning, as counselors, as evaluators, and as implementers of the curriculum.

BackgroundLarge projects in the extractive industry sector can affect people’s health and wellbeing. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), women’s health is of particular concern in such contexts due to potential educational and economic disadvantages, vulnerability to transactional sex and unsafe sex practices. At the same time, community health interventions and development initiatives present opportunities for women's and maternal health.MethodsWithin the frame of the health impact assessment (HIA) of the Trident copper mining project in Zambia, two health surveys were conducted (baseline in 2011 and follow-up in 2015) in order to monitor health and health-related indicators. Emphasis was placed on women residing in the mining area and, for comparison, in settings not impacted by the project.ResultsAll measured indicators improved over time, regardless of whether communities were affected by the project or not. Additionally, the percentage of mothers giving birth in a health facility, the percentage of women who acknowledge that HIV cannot be transmitted by witchcraft or other supernatural means and the percentage of women having ever tested for HIV showed a significant increase in the impacted sites but not in the comparison communities. In 2015, better health, behavioural and knowledge outcomes in women were associated with employment by the project (or a sub-contractor thereof), migration background, increased wealth and higher educational attainment.ConclusionsOur study reveals that natural resource development projects can positively impact women’s health, particularly if health risks are adequately anticipated and managed. Hence, the conduct of a comprehensive HIA should be a requirement at the feasibility stage of any large infrastructure project, particularly in LMICs. Continued monitoring of health outcomes and wider determinants of health after the initial assessment is crucial to judge the project’s influence on health and for reducing inequalities over time.

Summary Kevitsa disseminated Ni-Cu-PGE deposit in northern Finland is hosted by a major high velocity (6000–7500 m/s) gabbroic intrusion. The deposit is currently being mined using open-pit mining method at already over 100 m depth, and the final pit will extend to about 400–500 m depth in about 20 years, hence justifying a 3D seismic survey for its careful planning. The 3D seismic survey was carried out in 2010, before mining activities commenced, and resulted in a reflection volume rich in reflectivity, however, poor near the surface likely due to the survey setup and extremely high bedrock velocities. 3D first break tomography was performed with the main objective of linking near-surface geological information with the reflection seismic volume allowing to find a major low-velocity linear zone in the bedrock within the first 50 m depth. This was associated with a gently-dipping reflector with the same strike at 150 m depth and extending to about 500 m depth. The low-velocity zone striking in NE-SW, and originating from a gently-dipping fracture system, may contribute towards the formation of wedge blocks within the northern side of the planned open pit, which can be critical for its stability in the near future.

In July 2008, Indicator Minerals flew a high resolution magnetic gradient survey near the Hamlet of Kugaaruk, Nunavut looking for kimberlite deposits. This survey was designed as a potential replacement for ground‐based geophysics with a higher data resolution and collection speed. The system used was the Battelle VG‐16, which was designed for UXO detection. Several modifications were made to the system, the survey methodology and the data processing to optimize this UXO system for mineral exploration. Several of the survey blocks were covered with multiple techniques including high‐altitude airborne, low‐altitude airborne and ground‐based magnetics. This paper compares the results to demonstrate the trade‐offs between the three.