Narrow-Vein Mining Research Project

The mining industry is continually looking for ways to automate and mechanize its operations. This presents a great challenge for narrow-vein operations. The actual mining parameters and existing mechanized equipment make profitability difficult to achieve. It is clear that the future of narrow-vein mines depends on the development of innovative extraction methods and equipment.

This web site presents the results of the research project on narrow-vein mining launched in 1999 by Natural Resources Canada. Here you will find, for each mine visited, the information collected on mining methods, problems and innovative solutions, complete with documents, photos, plans and sketches.

Economical models enable the evaluation of diverse mining methods, and development work was elaborated on and is available on the site. The site also includes a list of mining equipment used in extracting ore from narrow veins.

We hope you will find that the information presented here is useful and that it helps improve access to and the transfer of information.

The Narrow-Vein Mining Research Project Team at CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories

Marcel Laflamme, ing., Ph.D., Program Manager
Jean-Marie Fecteau, ing., Project Leader
Sylvie Poirier, ing., Project Engineer
Roger Lacroix, ing., M.Sc., Project Engineer
Thérèse Vincent, Administrative Assistant