A choice of three field trips is planned, offering participants first-hand knowledge of different types of mining in eastern Canada. Book early because the trips are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Departure Time: 08:30
Return Time: 12:00
Web: www.penguinasi.com
The technologies that Penguin ASI develops are derived from the Mining Automation Program (MAP). MAP was an undertaking designed to create and implement Telemining Systems based on Dr. Greg Baiden’s (Chairman & CTO of Penguin ASI) vision for the future of applying robotics with the human touch. Dr. Baiden along with a team of academics and specialists generated a proposal for the PRECARN associates, which focused on the teleoperation of an underground mine and the integration of the various components necessary for the project to be successful. MAP became an international consortium that united key academics and professionals to participate in a $28 million, 5 year program that developed several core elements of telerobotics and mine automation. The R & D was conducted at Inco Limited in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada to address two key issues: declining economic value of mines in a developed country, and declining worker productivity. Research and development indicated numerous advantages of the robotic mining technology, and led to Dr. Baiden accepting the position as Canadian Research Chair in Robotics and Automation at Laurentian University. Since then research has grown exponentially and is now being commercialized by Penguin ASI as agreed to by both Laurentian and Penguin. Penguin ASI was initiated in 2001 and opened the doors to the Penguin Research Centre (PRC) in 2006. PRC is located 15 km west of Sudbury in Naughton, Ontario.
Redefining what is possible and exploring possibilities.
Penguin Automated Systems Inc. is a research, development and prototyping company focusing on the implementation of robotic and automation solutions for our clients.
Applying existing technology and inventing new ones, that enable the creation of innovative solutions for the challenging projects we undertake, make Penguin ASI a leading force in the Telerobotics field. We provide a comprehensive approach to software development, systems integration and field testing to ensure leading edge technologies are supplied to manage our client’s needs.
We provide telerobotic applications for the following industries:
- Mining
- Construction
- Exploration
- Security- Oil & Gas Industries
- Military
- Institutional
Our technologies are adapted to a variety of environments:
- Underground & Open Pit
- Subsea & Underwater
- In Space
- On Surface
Our operations take place at the Penguin Research Centre (PRC) located in Naughton, Ontario. PRC offers numerous in-house capabilities for prototyping, research, training and constructing. Our suite of products provide a wide range of options, from underwater and free space wireless optical networking, to underground GPS systems, inertial navigation for positioning and much more. Along with our impressive product list we have the capacity to provide fully customized precision based models. PRC houses a rapid prototyping centre, custom electronics and manufacturing lab, custom mechanical and construction design centre, along with a composite construction and real time software facility.
Departure Time: 06:00
Return Time: 12:00
The field trip to Stobie Mine will consist of an underground tour which will showcase the flowsheet process.
Mine History
Frood
The Frood Mine Ore body was discovered in 1883 by Thomas Frood and A.J. Cockburn, who sold the rights to the Canadian Copper Company in 1886. Mining started at the Frood Open Pit in 1889. 110, 000 tons of ore was produced between 1900 and 1903. In 1904 operations were suspended, and diamond drilling indicated a reserve of 45 million tons of ore and plans were initiated to resume mining in 1929. Open pit mining was completed in 1962 totaling 61, 000, 600 tons of ore.
Many different mining methods have been used over the years at Frood Mine, these include: Shrinkage, Cut-and-Fill, Square Set, Blast hole Stoping, Overhand, Underhand and Undercut-and-Fill Pillar Removal. Currently, Sublevel Cave and Vertical Retreat Mining are used to mine the remnant pillars left behind by primary mining. At present, sub-level cave accounts for approximately 90% of production at Frood mine.
Frood mine is now part of the Stobie Complex.
Stobie
During World War II, Frood Mine alone accounted for a full 40 per cent of all the nickel used in Allied artillery production. In 1989, Frood Mine shared the John T. Ryan Trophy for the best occupational safety record among Canadian mines in the previous year. Frood-Stobie Complex was also the winner of the 2001 & 2002 John T. Ryan Safety Trophy.
The mine is named for Thomas Frood, an employee of the federal department of Crown lands who prospected and staked many of the early mining claims in the area. Queen Elizabeth II visited Frood mine in recognition of its contribution to World War II.
Many different mining methods have been used over the years at Stobie Mine including Shrinkage, Cut-and-Fill, Square Set and Blasthole Stoping. Stobie Mine is currently concentrating on two main mining methods; Sublevel Caving and Vertical Retreat Mining. Sublevel caving (SLC) method is used to mine the ore between 2100 Level and 2400 Level on the south side of the orebody where the average grade is typically lower. Sublevel cave mining is planned to extend downwards in this area to eventually reach 2800 Level. Vertical Retreat Mining (VRM) is used primarily on the north side of the orebody between 2600 Level and 3400 Level and on the south side of the orebody below 2850 Level. Some areas of Uppers Retreat Mining (URM) are planned to recover remnant pillars.
Departure Time: 06:00
Return Time: 15:00
Web: www.snolab.ca
www.sno.phy.queensu.ca
SNOLAB is an underground science laboratory specializing in neutrino and dark matter physics. Situated two km below the surface in the Vale Creighton Mine located near Sudbury Ontario Canada, SNOLAB is an expansion of the existing facilities constructed for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) solar neutrino experiment. SNOLAB follows on the important achievements in neutrino physics achieved by SNO and other underground physics measurements. The primary scientific emphasis at SNOLAB will be on astroparticle physics with the principal topics being:
- Low Energy Solar Neutrinos;
- Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay;
- Cosmic Dark Matter Searches;
- Supernova Neutrino Searches.
The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) results have provided revolutionary insight into the properties of neutrinos and the core of the sun. The detector, shown in the artist's conception below, was built 6800 feet under ground, in INCO's Creighton mine near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. SNO was a heavy-water Cherenkov detector designed to detect neutrinos produced by fusion reactions in the sun. It used 1000 tonnes of heavy water loaned from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), and contained by a 12 meter diameter acrylic vessel. Neutrinos reacted with the heavy water (D2O) to produce flashes of light called Cherenkov radiation. This light was then detected by an array of 9600 photomultiplier tubes mounted on a geodesic support structure surrounding the heavy water vessel. The detector was immersed in light (normal) water within a 30 meter barrel-shaped cavity (the size of a 10 story building!) excavated from Norite rock. Located in the deepest part of the mine, the overburden of rock shielded the detector from cosmic rays. The detector laboratory, still functioning as part of the new SNOLAB facility, is extremely clean to reduce background signals from radioactive elements present in the mine dust which would otherwise hide the very weak signal from neutrinos. Plans are currently underway to upgrade the SNO detector for the new SNO+ experiment.
Please read the Visitor Information Guide to read on physical restrictions.
- The lab is 6800 feet underground
- No contact lenses allowed
