Message from the MTD Board Chairman

Summer is here already, rain and gales included!!! This year seems to be flying past, the MTD Board is very busy organising its forthcoming conference to be held on 4 and 5 October 2017 and entitled “Current Developments in the UK Mining Industry”. At the conference we are aiming to bring together the UKs leading mining companies to talk about their current mining operations and future plans. The speakers come from the whole of the UK. It is quite a pleasure to be involved in organising this event as it demonstrates that the UK does have a thriving mining business.

On another note, MTD have finally finished putting together the “MTD Brochure”. It lays out what the MTD is about, what our aims and objectives are, and most importantly, how you can join our division. You can find a copy of it on our webpage “Mining Matters”,

hard copies available from the IOM3 London HQ at 297 Euston Road, send us an email and we will send you a copy.

Our summer newsletter includes features and articles from an interview with Strongbow Exploration Inc COO, market trends in Lithium and an article on sea-bed mining equipment, plus our usual conference feedbacks, mining heritage sites to visit etc. MTD would very much welcome your comments on the newsletter and any comments in general. If you have a burning desire to write an article, please send it to us.

Happy reading folks!!

Christine BlackmoreIOM3 MTD Chairman

Mining Technology DivisionSummer Newsletter 2017

IN THIS ISSUE......South Crofty - Interview with COOThe MIMinE Safety Seminar - ReviewLithium - Market Review and TrendsSeabed Mining Conferences - The ones to watch! Florance Mine Heritage CentreNeville Hall - Latest refurbishment

Members of IMMaPlease check your member profile at www.iom3.org/user to make sure that you have the correct preference selected for your technical division. IMMa is no longer available as a preferred technical division IMMa is an umbrella body for the four resources divisions. All members selecting one of the four resources divisions as their preferred technical community automatically become members of IMMa.

Interview with Owen MihalopStrongbow Exploration Inc is a Canadian mineral exploration company focussed on building a strategic metals company through the acquisition and exploration of its portfolio of assets in the U.K. and N. America. In July 2016 Strongbow acquired the rights to the South Crofty Tin Project located in Cornwall, U.K. A technical report and Preliminary Economic Assessment to NI 43-101 standards was filed in April 2017 and the Firm is confident that tin mining will resume in Cornwall. Dr Chris Broadbent, Fellow of IOM3, spoke to Strongbow’s Chief Operating Officer, Owen Mihalop.

Chris: Hi Owen, many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed for MTDs Summer Newsletter. Tell us a little about yourself and your role in Strongbow?Owen: I have been involved in the minerals industry for over 20 years, first as an exploration geologist, then in mine operations before joining a UK Mining consultancy and latterly development of European and African projects as they moved towards operational mines. In 2016, I was appointed Chief Operating Officer for Strongbow Exploration UK Ltd to oversee development work at South Crofty as well as manage other opportunities for Strongbow.

Chris: There is an almost romantic notion of tin mining in Cornwall, why Cornwall and why South Crofty in particular?Owen: There is an old saying in mining – ‘The best place to find a new mine is next door to an existing or historic one’! South Crofty was in continuous operation for over 400 years and in the last 80-90 years of operation extracted 10 million tonnes of high grade (tin) ore - people have realised for a long time that the mine shut not because it ran out of ore but because the tin price collapsed. Plus, most permits are already in place and the potential upside for finding even more,

quality ore, is considered good. The local population want mining to return and there were still people with experience of mining and processing the ore around in the locality. With the gradual recovery in tin prices and the relative lack of an alternative, or of new sources of tin coming on stream in the next few years, South Crofty is an exciting proposition! This isn’t “Romantic Mining” there is a hardnosed business case for the development of an Economically Viable, World Class Mine.

Chris: Is the Mineral Processing Flowsheet well known?Owen: We propose to use the same flow sheet as was used when South Crofty ore was treated at the Wheal Jane Processing Plant and have access to the operational data and people who operated the process. However, that is not to say that we wouldn’t be interested in improvements, especially if the energy demands for comminution could be reduced.

Chris: Do you see your project as part of a renaissance in European mining?Owen: I don’t know about a renaissance in European mining but there is definitely a lot of interest in the U.K. and appetite for investment in U.K. mining project sat the moment. As well as South Crofty, look at Wolf (Tungsten) down the road in Devon, Sirius Minerals (polyhalite) in Yorkshire, Dalradian (gold) in Northern Ireland, Strategic Minerals (tin) also in Cornwall and West Cumbrian Mining (coal). These are real projects and have attracted funding – there definitely seems to be a willingness to find British Mining projects and Finance isn’t provided for romantic dreams but on the back of a solid, viable, business plan.Photographs courtesy of Keith Russ.

Dr Chris BroadbentFellow IOM3

The Midland Institute of Mining Engineers Safety Seminar - 2017The Midland Institute of Mining Engineers (MIME) held its 12th Safety Seminar – “Safely Managing the Challenge of Change” at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria, Sheffield on Friday 7th April 2017

Even as the mining industry has contracted (though not entirely ceased, thankfully!) the Aims and Objectives ofthe Midland Institute of Mining Engineers (MIMinE) is the promotion of mine safety.

The list of attendees (115) was dominated by the current players in the UK mining sector, as well as the Health and Safety Executive, and MRS, and of course IOM3/MIMinE members.

The presentations by MRS Training and Rescue and the Mining Association of the United Kingdom (MAUK) discussed the evolution of the Mines Rescue Service, the challenges facing MRS into the future and the 2016 rescue practice at British Gypsum’s Fauld Mine. The response of some nine rescue teams from various parts of the UK is impressive, and it is still apparent that the UK Mines Rescue, once considered the best in the world, is still one of the leaders in rapid response and mines rescue. The presentation by Compass Minerals indicated the potential use of disused underground workings, not only as a waste disposal site, but also as repository for the important documents and artefacts. The strategy of managing this aspect of post mining issues is not without challenges.

The IOM3 membership is still growing, and one of the junior members presented the benefits of being a member of this most prestigious organisation, which was supported and discussed in presentations by various members of the IOM3 (including MTD Board Members!)/MiMinE.

We must remember that mining activities are also conducted on the surface, and the presentation by the Institute of Quarrying highlighted that these activities are also facing their own challenges in the 21st Century, particularly in terms of being granted permission to develop new sites, and the appropriate recognition of quarrying professionals.

One of the key points from the presentations is that the IOM3 is licenced by the Engineering Council, and is empowered to award professional accreditation. The standards set by the Engineering Council are widely accepted globally as a mark of commitment, competence, knowledge and skill.

Andy BirtlesMTD Board

Lithium! Market Review and TrendsThe European Union (EU) is interested and indeed moving forward in research and development of the production of Lithium (Li) from pegmatite and greisen deposits in Europe: especially in Finland, Portugal (pegmatite), Germany and Czech Republic (greisen). The challenges in mining and mineral processing are relatively low. The main aim of the research is to avoid energy intensive over-milling and to optimize the feed for beneficiation by lowering the waste fraction and energy consumption by flexible, modular and mobile processing units. As there is an increasing demand for Li, the EU is keen to develop further the high intensity magnetic and gravity separation used to process Li. The EU Li project involves intensive test work on silicate for Spodumene, Petalite and lithium mica, as well as the development of alternative leaching processes for thermally treated Spodumene for lithium recovery from Fe/Li-micas + Lepidolite including bioleaching. The increase concentrate grade is a substantial factor for the valorisation of these European deposits.

European lithium market facts: The EU is a major importer of lithium consuming 24% of the global market, second only to China. Europe has limited internal capacity currently for lithium supply. The four main lithium producing countries account for c90-95% of world lithium production: Australia 13,400 tonnes from hard rock, Chile 11,700 tonnes and Argentina 3,800 tonnes from brine and China 2,200 tonnes. Geologically Europe hosts potential resources in pegmatitic Lithium in Ireland (in exploration), Finland (in mine development) and Portugal (in production for glass and ceramics industry), as well as in Germany and the Czech Republic (under exploration) and the “Austrian Wolfsberg project”. By output Portugal is currently the leading lithium producer in Europe (mostly small-scale mining projects).

Lithium Demand: Roskill estimated in their report Lithium Market outlook to 2017-12th Edition, 2013, that total global demand was 150,200t Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) in 2012 up from 68,000t LCE in 2000 showing an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The glass and ceramics industries have historically been the biggest consumers of lithium. Since 2000, rechargeable batteries have been

increasingly important, growing from 4% to 27% of total lithium consumption. This has been driven by the adoption of lithium ion technologies in consumer electronics and the emergence of products including tablets and smart phones. Growing demand for lithium secondary batteries in electric vehicles, heavy duty power storage (off-grid renewables), aircraft manufacture (fuel efficiency and lighter weight) could result in an average growth rate c16% per annum.

Supply: Roskill 2012, reported that there was a total production of lithium c168,000t (LCE). The U.S. Geological Survey produced a reserves estimate of lithium in early 2015, concluding that the world has sufficient known reserves for about 365 years at the current global production C 37,000 tons per year. Current production of lithium shows: one-third used for ceramics, almost one-third used for batteries, and miscellaneous use for the last one-third.

Key drivers for the growth in lithium is for ion

batteries which are used for portable computers, communications market, and the demand for consumer electronics e.g. power tools. The Tesla/Panasonic lithium ion battery ‘gigafactory’ under construction in Nevada USA will be the world’s largest and most advanced battery factory with forecasts estimating it will increase demand by 9-25,000 tpa LCE. The factory will be completed in 2017 and will produce up-to 500,000 batteries per annum by 2020. China is a growing market for lithium ion batteries with the support of government initiatives such as subsidies of ~$10k for purchases of electronic vehicles. Roskill anticipates that growth in heavy duty storage would increase from 80MWh in 2012 to 20GWh in 2017.

Photo: Zinnwaldite, from Li‐ore. The photo illustrates the greisen ore from the Zinnwald deposit, actually being drilled and sampled for resource estimation and processing test work. Photo: GKZ

Christine Blackmore, Wardell Armstrong International, and Wolfgang Reimer, GKZ.

North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers Work has now been completed on the improvements to the foyer of Neville Hall.

The small scale work is designed to have a big impact on people visiting the building. It has begun with the restoration of the foyer to its original size and shape, reversing changes made to the building in the 20th century. The 1970’s eyesore lift shaft will be removed and, subject to listed building consent, the glazed screen which was installed in 1910. The current floor tiles will be temporarily carpeted. A new accessible toilet is being created on the ground floor and the ladies toilets improved. The Oak Room on the ground floor will be available as meetings space with its ceiling restored and painted. The contractor was local firm J.F. Burridge who won the contract on a competitive tender

A new exhibition is being installed in the foyer explaining the history and heritage of the building to visitors and the exciting plans for its future development. New access arrangements for the public will be in place, including arrangements for public tours. The office of the Librarian has already moved to the Map Room on the first floor offering greater comfort for library volunteers and researchers. The former Mason’s bar will act as a lounge for Members and guests with tea and coffee making facilities.

The Mining Institute’s impressive rooms will all now be available to our patrons and for the first time in over a century people will be able to see the grand staircase and stairwell as was originally intended with a view of Nicholas Wood’s larger than life statue framed in the Library doorway. The stairwell will be flooded with light from the skylight above once the lift is removed. Work on making the building accessible to all includes proposals for a new ramp and, potentially, a small lift discretely hidden from the stairwell.

The work has been made possible by funding from the Mining Institute’s Members and the Heritage Lottery Fund and paves the way for a full restoration of the building.

Norman JacksonMTD Board

HOT OFF THE PRESS - The NEW Mining Technology Division BrochureGet your copy from IOM3 HQ or email Christine Blackmore for an electronic copy: cblackmore@wardell-armstrong.com

Subsea Mining Rare minerals that lie within the sea floor are driving deep-sea mining exploration. But environmental concerns, the need for new robotic technology and lack of mining business investment has meant that progress to begin operations has been slow. On the 22 May, the 6th Annual Deep Sea Mining Summit 2017 was held at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London, UK, with talks on technological advancements, new opportunities, regulatory developments and financing deep-sea mining projects. The conference concentrated upon the regulatory framework and new mining systems that will enable engineers to mine rare earths such as tellurium and cobalt that lie within the deep ocean. In April 2017, geologists working for the UK’s National Oceanography Centre, UK, for a project called Marine E-tech made a significant discovery of mineral deposits. The team exploring a seamount 500km off the Canary Islands found a crust of tellurium stretching over the mountain’s surface but in concentrations 50,000 times higher than in deposits on land. Mining engineers and Marine biologists are trying to determine the possibilities of mining on the seabed and the risks involved.

Technology advancement was a particular focus point at the event, with advances in robotic drilling and autonomous machines needed to explore the high-value metals in these deposits if the industry is to take off. Filipa Marques, from the Centre for Deep Sea Research, Norway, explained, ‘We still don’t know that much about the ocean floor. It is extremely difficult to find these deposits. We need more technology, time and money.’

To assess the deposits, extraction technology, sea monitoring, vessels and drilling technologies will require continued R&D to help the industry to grow. The National Subsea Research Initiative (NSRI), UK, has been looking at the UK’s capabilities in the subsea mining industry. ‘The UK’s strong supply chain can, and should be, utilised for sub-sea mining. Much of the technology used in other industries such as offshore wind is transferable to deep-sea mining,’ said Christopher Fjellorth, NSRI.

New technologies could help monitor the environmental impact of deep-sea mining, as Fjellorth explains, ‘Several technologies such as autonomous underwater vehicles have been used – these vehicles have sensors in them to perform tasks such as multi spectral imaging, light and noise monitoring and visual senses. In terms of vessels, they are also required for all stages of subsea mining from the exploration and research vessels to production support vessels.’ Although the drive for technology has been slow, the world’s first deep-sea mining project will begin operations in 2018, following an announcement in April 2016 by Nautilus Minerals, Canada. The Solwara 1, in Papua New Guinea sits on the seafloor at a water depth of 1,600 metres, located near New Ireland and East New Britain. The company plans to explore copper (7.8g/t), gold (6g/t) and silver (25g/t) deposits using automated robots that cause no blasting noise, ground vibration, dust or fume nuisance to mine massive sulphides on the sea bed. The project will deploy three systems – the seafloor production tools, the riser and lifting system and the production support vessel.

At this stage everyone is waiting anxiously for the results from Nautilus,’ said Henk van Muijen, Managing Director at IHC MTI, the Netherlands. A lot rides on the results of the Nautilus Minerals project as it could hold the key to future investment and regulations, and address environmental concerns in mining the world’s oceans.

A extended version of this article by Natalie Daniels can be found in the July 2017 issue of “Materials World”.

Rod Stace MTB Board

A MUST VISIT IN MINING:Florance Mine Heritage CentreFlorance Mine, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2NR

Based at the last deep iron ore mine in Western Europe, nestling midway between the Lake District fells and the Cumbrian Coast, this is the story of one of the great industries of West Cumbria, which made the fortunes of some and brought tragedy to others. It also brought waves of immigrants, not only from the tin mines of Cornwall and the copper mines of Ireland, but also from Poland and Italy creating prosperity and change. It was known that West Cumbria was rich in iron ore but it was not until the 1830’s that this valuable mineral was mined here on a significant scale. The best quality iron ore to be found anywhere in the world is called Hæmatite and it is this rich mineral which can be found in the limestone layers of West Cumbria.

Unfortunately, despite the historic value of the site, its main function these days is as an arts centre; although the formerly majestic mine buildings and some equipment are still in evidence, nothing has been maintained in good condition. By walking through a small wood it is possible to reach the old rail truck access down the drift, although it is barricaded for safety.

A tempting sideline feature is the specially made ice-cream, which is sold to generate funds for the arts centre. There is a warm welcome from volunteer staff and we were told that there is a gentleman who knows everything about the site and can be contacted toarrange a visit to the old mine buildings.

A veritable step back in time - well worth a look!

Wyn Griffith, MTD Board

CONFERENCES – THE ONES TO WATCH!!!!Mining Technology Board (MTD)

Wednesday 4 to Thursday 5 October 2017 at IOM3 HQ, 297 Euston Road, London“Current Developments in the UK Mining Industry”

See IOM3 webpage for further details.

Speaker Information:

MTD editorial team is headed by Christine Blackmore and Rod Stace.If you have any comment on the newsletter, would like to know more about us or would like to contribute, please contact us using the IOM3, we shall be happy to help you.

Paul Bradley, Operations Manager – HM Principal Inspector Mechanical Engineering - H & S Executive

Graham Clarke, Operations Director - Sirius Minerals, York Potash Project

Richard Gray, MD and CEO, Chris Sangster, Non-Executive Director - Scotgold Resources Cononish Mine

John Austin, Mine Manager - British Gypsum, Marblaegis Mines

Tim Sambrook, Plant Metallurgist - Wolf Minerals Drakelands(Hemerdon) Mine

Jason Hopps - Irish Salt and Minerals Exploration, Kilroot Mine, Northern Ireland

Bill Birch, Managing Director - New Crofton Co-op Colliery Ltd

Owen Mihalop, COO, Richard Williams, CEO - Strongbow Exploration Inc. South Crofty Tin Mine

Stuart Hoult, CEO and Andrew Watson, Commercial and Operations Director- Mines Rescue Service

Peter Robinson, Chairman - British Fluorspar, Milldam Mine

Gordon Dunn, Managing Director - Compass Minerals UK, Winsford Mine

Andrew Fulton, Operations Manager - Cleveland Potash, Boulby Mine

Brian Kelly, Managing Director - Dalradian Gold Ltd, Curraghinalt deposit, Northern Ireland

Mark Kirkbride, CEO - West Cumbria Mining

Brett Grist, Exploration Manager - Cornwall Resources Ltd, Redmoor Project

Jeremy Wrathall, Director - Cornish Lithium

Professor Pat Foster, Director of Education & Associate Professor in Mine Safety - Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter

Ian Hughes, Project Manager - Foss/Duntanlich Mine, Scotland