Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

Mine backfill has been progressively integrated into underground mining operations to increase ore extraction,x000D
improve underground stability, and to dispose of mine waste material. In this process, waste streams fromx000D
mineral extraction comprising suspensions of sediments/tailings are mixed with a reinforcing agent (oftenx000D
cement), then pumped back underground to refill the areas where they were removed from. Various types ofx000D
mine backfill such as paste fill or Gel fill have been developed to address the specific needs of various miningx000D
operations. For optimization of mining techniques, mine fill with improved physical and mechanical propertiesx000D
are desirable. Higher-strength mine fill can be used to provide structural support to existing tunnel networks,x000D
allowing for increased extraction within a given area. Improving the strength of the backfill is therefore usefulx000D
for enhancing the overall yield of a mining operation.x000D
In this proposal, a highly-fibrillated nanocellulosic material will be tested for its ability to stabilize and improvex000D
the structural performance and rheology of mine backfill for the first time. The nanocellulose to be used in thisx000D
research is produced via a high-consistency refining process that was recently developed and has since beenx000D
adapted and tailored for a variety of different industrial applications. The technology for producing thisx000D
nanofibrillated cellulose was recently licensed by Performance BioFilaments Inc. The very high aspect ratiox000D
(ratio of length to width) of this nanofibrillated cellulose, along with its high degree of flexibility andx000D
exceptional surface area, make it an ideal material for entangling and binding-together tailing particles. It isx000D
expected that the nanofibrillated cellulose material will also improve the strength and rheology performance ofx000D
mine backfill when it is used as binder to complement or replace cement material (either totally or partially),x000D
and thus reduce the overall carbon footprint in the mining industry. With success, this study increases thex000D
competitiveness of the company, and will aid the company's intention to expand the potential applications of itsx000D
product to mining industry, and generate more revenues.