Plasma blast marks opening of addition to R&D facility

Resources giant Noranda (TSE) has officially opened the $20-million expansion of its research facility in suburban Montreal — the Noranda Technology Centre.

The expansion unites researchers, who were formerly housed in two separate buildings, into one structure. It marks the fourth expansion for the centre since it opened in 1963.

About 150 research projects are under way at the centre, including the reduction of the sulphuric emissions that cause acid rain, treatment of effluents from pulp and paper factories and the decommissioning of mine sites. Of great interest is technology under development that could revolutionize the mining industry. Most prominent is the company’s plasma blasting technology, which uses electricity rather than conventional chemical explosives to break rock.

The process eliminates the problems caused by the gases produced by chemical explosions.

During a demonstration, a 4-ton boulder was smashed using the technique as reporters looked on. Only a half-cent’s worth of electricity was required to smash the boulder, officials said.

Noranda has invested $6 million during the last six years in the plasma blasting technology, which should be operational within three years in all Noranda mines.

Also on the way is a self-guided mining vehicle which is geared toward small mines. The system makes use of an onboard computer guided by an overhead encoded tape. When illuminated by a light on the vehicle, coded commands on the tape signify when the vehicle should accelerate or brake. The vehicle’s progress can be tracked in an observation booth outside of mines. Developed with the University of Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique at a cost of $1 million for the prototype, the vehicle is cited as an example of the company’s involvement with universities in research projects. Noranda plans to have a vehicle in production at its Matagami mining operations in northwestern Quebec by next September.

In notes for a speech he did not deliver, Noranda Vice-President Michel Lefebvre mentioned an investigation he co-headed into accidents in Quebec mines. The investigation found that a lack of technical know-how, or the failure to correctly use available technology, was the root causes of 60% of fatal accidents in Quebec mines in 1989 and 1990.

The elimination of chemical explosions by plasma blasting represents potential savings of almost $100 million a year for the company. The use of robotics and automation will also represent considerable savings for Noranda and increase safety for workers, Lefebvre said.

Noranda President David Kerr, who noted he often has to correct the misunderstanding that Noranda is a “low-tech” company, said the $30-million budget for the centre will not be reduced next year despite poor economic conditions.

Located in Pointe-Claire, in the West Island, the 166,000-sq.-ft. research centre is staffed by 250 scientists, engineers, technologists and administrative personnel. It houses seven laboratories specializing in Noranda’s four industry segments: mining and metallurgy, forest products, energy and manufacturing.

Daniel Kucharsky is a freelance writer from Montreal.