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Gold/Mining/Energy : Birch Mountain Resources BMD-ASE -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ed Devlin who wrote (269)	10/23/1999 10:45:00 AM
From: Chuca Marsh	Respond to of 402

Go Braves: ragingbull.com By: Chucka Reply To: 166 by marrobstedar Friday, 22 Oct 1999 at 8:21 PM EDT Post # of 167 been busy, here is some interesting stuff. Dr Hugh Abercrombie had a Nevada Paper handout of 20 + pages with his one page text cover that was VERY interesting on the similar nature of the Nevada Cortez and Carlin Trends as ( I related to the Map in Alberta that I drew from the fault map on the screen demonstration of the Pods of Pt and AU that SEMs had but at several places at the Athabasca Region of BM Claims ) relating to this Prairie Gold Model Theorizer, one line question at the start by Dr Abercrombie: "So Says...Dr Huge Abercrombie at the BM Meeting:( This is the best Info)So Far! Let me begin with a rhetorical question... What if there exisited a type of gold-PGM (plattnum group metals) deposit that did for PGM's what Nevada has done for gold? Currently, Nevada produces more gold than Canada. I would like to explore the possibility that Prairie-type deposits under exploration on our Athabasca property in northeastern Alberta represent a previously unknown type of sediment-hosted deposit closely related to non-igneous associated, unconformity related, sediment-hosted gold deposits In Nevada. Over the past year, we have come to recognize that the Prairie Gold model developed by Birch Mountain is indeed a low temperature variant of this important class of sediment-hosted precious metal deposits. This recognition has primarily been driven by our detailed examination of cores obtained from oil sands operator Syncrude and structural mapping using core-based Information combined with results of our 1997 high resolution aeromag survey. Preltminaiy geochemical indications of alteration which we recognized over a year ago have now been extended such that we can recognize characteiistlc alteration types including decarbonation, desulfidation, sideritlzation, haritization and, locally, silicificatlon In areas of structural disturbance directly overlying basement faults. We can now show that the ore grade' platinum and gold from Syncnade drill hole AE/l1-7-96-10W4 (2.2-5 g/Tplatmuxn and 0.2 g/Tgold over a 1.6 rn interval from 72.0-73.6 in depth) occurs within cbaractexistically altered Devonian limestone within 1 kilometre of a basement structure which coincides with an ~alteration fairway' at the top of the Devonian. I would like to draw your attention to the attached paper. "Application of mineral deposits models in exploration: a case study of sediment-hosted gold deposits, Great Basin, western United States" by Sam Adams and Borden Putnam. This paper is amazing to read when you keep In mind what we have been attempting to do In applying the Prairie Gold model in Athabasca and Manitoba. Recognition by Adams and Putnam of the role of deep crustal structures and unconformities as pathways for ore-forming solutions parallels directly what we see in Athabasca. Furthermore, they show that a number of unconformity-related, sediment-hosted gold deposits In Nevada are not associated with any known volcanic or plutonic heat sources. Birch Mountain continues to use the Prairie Gold model as a guide to Its exploration for large-tonnage sediment-hosted gold-POM deposits. We currently are in the process of 1denti~'ing drill targets to test sediment-hosted platinum and gold targets in Athabasca. Plans for drilling are expected to be announced once financing activities currently underway have been successfully completed. " From the Huge Abercrombie REPORT: geocities.com Status is all being worked on as we speak, or in my case not speaking of specifics as engineering is being double checked by Engineering Experts. BTW, I was wrong here on the fact that Tailings Piles were source areas for BM, not so; the Oil Sands Operators have rights to the Tailings, we have the several hundered feet deep layer under ( that Doug Rowe says has the few hundered drill hoels and cores so storred by the Oil Sands Operators that had to by nature go PAST the 5 meters of Oil Sands and tesat plug the bottom as a finish INTO the LIMESTINE layer) the Oil Sands Caps with from 5 to 10 meters of GOOD CORES to contractually draw upon with our resultant few dozens of beeds that were tested out during the non reproducability period that we all await for BM to finish off with now. Good going...just about quater ( 90 days or a flip of a Game Coin?) a sprint to the line...could be months....who knows- I wish I was listening to Mister Spock in that now old StaR TreK Movie- saying if months were like days; and days were like hours! But I was not. If cores were like beads and BEADS were like DORE! That's the ticket...I actually told ( OK - maybe asked) them at the Q & A to melt all their beads and show the Dam Bar on the entrance Page of Their WEBSITE. More on Pilot Bench TEST Plant( after Exploration Phase ) and me asking about Bulk Trucksloads next post. Much MORE. Chucka ADDED: Below: geocities.com DAM WINGS, DAM NACHOS...DAM MEATLOAF: WELL- Hot center, past pink...sorry - Pardner not responsible for stakes cooked past medium well! geocities.com (Voluntary Disclosure: Position- Long; ST Rating- Strong Buy; LT Rating- Strong Buy)

To: Ed Devlin who wrote (269)	10/26/1999 7:13:00 AM
From: Chuca Marsh	Respond to of 402

No Day, Ed, one day soon, we will profit from the CO-DEVELOPMENT agreements of last year with all these folks ( almost all a few anywys of the near dozens). It's not nice to fool MOTHER NATURE: Athabasca Oil Sands Trust - Athabasca Oil Sands Trust third quarter results; Syncrude results Athabasca Oil Sands Trust AOS.UN Shares issued 29,750,000 1999-10-25 close $22.4 Monday Oct 25 1999 Mr. Walter O'Donaghue reports The board of directors of Athabasca Oil Sands Investments Inc. has declared a distribution of 20 cents per trust unit to be paid for the third quarter. The distribution will be paid on Nov. 15, 1999, to unitholders of record on Nov. 8, 1999. The distribution is a reflection of strong operating results achieved during the third quarter combined with a return to higher oil prices. The board noted that in addition to achieving strong operating results, excellent progress continues on the Syncrude joint venture's expansion plans. The second mining train at the North Mine was commissioned in July, as was the power generation plant for the Aurora expansion project which is nearing 85-per-cent completion. Capital expenditures of $19-million (Athabasca share) for the quarter continue the pace set in the first half of the year and bring the year-to-date total to a record $65-million. In addition, subsequent to quarter end, Syncrude received approval from the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board for the expansion of the Mildred Lake upgrading facility to 175 million barrels per year. "We are very pleased to resume distributions," says chairman Walter O'Donoghue. "The strong operating results being delivered by the Syncrude project when combined with robust oil prices have provided Athabasca with cash available for distributions despite record capital expenditures of $65-million." Athabasca's third quarter revenues of $75-million were 83 per cent higher than the same period last year due to a 50-per-cent improvement in crude oil prices and a 19-per-cent increase in sales volumes. Third quarter sales of 27,700 barrels per day are 4,500 above last year's results largely due to plant maintenance in 1998. Year-to-date sales volumes of 26,300 barrels per day are 2,400 barrels ahead of last year's results and are on track for record volumes in excess of 26,500 barrels per day. Syncrude Sweet Blend (SSB) prices averaged $31.05 per barrel at the plant gate in the quarter, up 50 per cent from the $20.98 per barrel realized in the third quarter of 1998 and bring the year-to-date average to $25.23 per barrel. Including the effects of currency hedging, Athabasca's average price received in the quarter was $29.54 per barrel. Cash flow from operations before the change in non-cash working capital was $40-million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 1999, compared with $11-million for the same period in 1998, and up $18-million from the second quarter of 1999. The increase in revenues as a result of higher volumes and higher prices more than offset increases in administration expenses and Crown royalties. Athabasca's earnings surged to $33-million, a new quarterly record and a 528-per-cent improvement over the $5-million earned in the same period in 1998. The Syncrude joint venture continues to achieve excellent operating results during 1999. Steady, reliable plant operation has resulted in record volumes on a year-to-date basis at record low operating costs. Operating costs of $11.96 per barrel in the quarter bring the average for the first nine months of 1999 down to $12.26 per barrel, compared with $13.94 per barrel for the first nine months of 1998. Building on these strong operating results, 1999 volumes are budgeted at 83 million barrels at a cost of $12.35 per barrel. Projected volume increases will come from the recently completed second mining train in the North Mine, full utilization of the completed debottleneck 1 project, and start-up of the vacuum distillation unit in October. Reflecting these targets, and provided that oil prices are sustained near current levels, Athabasca expects to be able to maintain distributions at or above the current level for the fourth quarter. Results from operations Athabasca's third quarter 1999 SSB revenues were $75-million, $34-million or 83 per cent higher than the same period last year, due to a 50-per-cent improvement in crude oil prices and a 19-per-cent increase in production volumes. A new record was set for Syncrude's year-to-date production as volumes of 26,311 barrels per day were 2,400 barrels ahead of last year's results to Sept. 30. Third quarter sales volumes of approximately 27,700 barrels per day are up 4,500 barrels per day from 1998, largely as a result of smooth and reliable facility operations this year. Last year's results for the first three quarters were negatively impacted by an unscheduled maintenance program on one of the two large fluid cokers. The trust benefited from higher oil prices in 1999. SSB prices averaged $31.05 per barrel at the plant gate, up 50 per cent from the $20.98 per barrel received in the third quarter of 1998, and up 25 per cent from the prices received in the second quarter this year. Athabasca's average price received in the quarter, including the effects of currency hedging and marketing fees, was $29.54 per barrel, up from $19.24 per barrel a year earlier. Plant gate prices have averaged $25.23 year-to-date ($23.50 after currency hedging and fees), as compared with $20.92 and $19.63 respectively last year. Operating expenses of $30-million are up slightly from $28-million in the second quarter, but on a per barrel basis were down to $11.96 per barrel. Year-to-date costs of $88-million are $2-million lower than those reported for the comparable period of 1998. This is largely due to cost saving initiatives and to the absence of a coker shutdown. On a per barrel basis, operating costs for the first three quarters are a record low $12.26 per barrel as compared with $13.94 for the comparable period last year. Net income for the period increased to $33-million, a 528-per-cent improvement over the $5-million earned in the same period in 1998. On a year-to-date basis, net income increased to $50-million from $9-million. Cash flows Cash flow from operations before the change in non-cash working capital was $40-million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 1999, compared with $11-million for the same period in 1998, and up $18-million from the second quarter of 1999. Cash flow from operations was $68-million in the first three quarters of 1999, more than double last year's results. The increase in revenues as a result of higher volumes and higher prices more than offset increases in administration expenses and Crown royalties. The increase in administration and other expenses is a direct result of increased revenue and lower operating costs, as the administrative services fee is tied to these amounts. The increase in Crown royalty reflects an accrual of $0.6-million, as Athabasca expects to be paying a net profit royalty to the Crown as a result of the higher prices in the last half of the year. Athabasca's share of net capital expenditures in the third quarter increased $3.5-million to $19-million as compared with the third quarter of 1998. On a year-to-date basis, capital expenditures total $65-million, which is $24-million higher than the comparable period last year. Good progress continued on all strategic projects during the quarter, with most projects ahead of schedule. Construction of the mining and extraction facilities at the Aurora project site continue to progress smoothly with start-up anticipated for May, 2000. Significant milestones were achieved in the major capital projects under way at Syncrude: second mining train in the North mine began operation during the quarter; work on the debottleneck II project continued (now 85-per-cent complete); intersite pipeline required to transport bitumen froth from Aurora now complete; and all major earthwork at the Aurora site has been completed. During the quarter, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (AEUB) conducted a public hearing into the Syncrude owners' application for the expansion of the upgrading facility at Mildred Lake to 175 million barrels per year. Subsequent to quarter end, the AEUB notified Syncrude that an approval would be issued. Distributable income Distributable income is directly related to the royalty that the trust receives from Athabasca Oil Sands Investments Inc. The trust royalty is the net result of Syncrude operations, capital expenditures, administrative and financing costs associated with Athabasca, as well as changes in debt. Cash from operations of $40-million exceeded the capital expenditures for the quarter by $21-million, making up the $18-million shortfall realized to the end of June. On a year-to-date basis, cash from operations was $3-million greater than capital requirements enabling Athabasca to make a distribution from funds from operations. Liquidity and capital resources Working capital at Sept. 30, 1999, was approximately $37-million higher than at Dec. 31, 1998. This change reflects an increase in cash, short-term investments and inventory, and a decrease in other current liabilities partially offset by an increase in distribution payable and accounts payable. Athabasca's total long-term debt now stands at $109-million, a $0.3-million increase from the second quarter as a result of foreign exchange fluctuations. Both Athabasca's $100-million committed credit facility and a $10-million demand facility are currently undrawn. Risk management Athabasca's results from operations are affected by the exchange rate between the Canadian and U.S. dollars. To reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on revenues, Athabasca has hedged its exposure by issuing U.S. dollar denominated debt and by entering into foreign exchange contracts. In the fourth quarter of 1996, Athabasca entered into foreign exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars at exchange rates between 76.2 U.S. cents and 77.8 U.S. cents to $1 (Canadian) in the amounts of $84-million, $84-million and $96-million in 1999, 2000 and 2001 respectively. Of the $84-million from 1999, approximately $21-million remain outstanding at Sept. 30, 1999. Consequently, Athabasca's revenues have not benefited from the decline in the Canadian dollar, the impact of which has been offset by losses on the foreign exchange hedge. Based on the foreign exchange forward curve at Sept. 30, 1999, had these contracts been settled for cash, the pretax loss would have been about $30-million. Outlook Syncrude project targets call for a record 83 million barrels of production at an operating cost of approximately $12.35 per barrel in 1999. Capital expenditures are anticipated to total $725-million in 1999, an increase of $65-million from earlier estimates reflecting the advance of some capital expenditures from the year 2000. Athabasca's share of the projected volume target is 9.7 million barrels or an average of 26,700 barrels per day. Reflecting these targets, and provided that oil prices are sustained near current levels, Athabasca expects to maintain distributions at or above the current level for the fourth quarter. STATEMENT OF EARNINGS Three months ended Sept. 30 (thousands of dollars) 1999 1998 Revenues: Syncrude Sweet Blend $ 75,297 $ 41,095 Other 238 60 --------- --------- 75,535 41,155 --------- --------- Expenses: Operating 30,484 26,345 Administration and other 1,566 685 Crown royalties 769 0 Finance charges 2,405 2,417 Depletion, depreciation and amortization 6,864 6,305 Dividends on preferred shares of subsidiary 90 90 --------- --------- 42,178 35,842 --------- --------- Income before taxes 33,357 5,313 Capital and other taxes 118 111 --------- --------- Net income $ 33,239 $ 5,202 Unit distributions (5,950) 0 Net income per trust unit $1.11 20 cents STATEMENT OF EARNINGS Nine months ended Sept. 30 (thousands of dollars) 1999 1998 Revenues: Syncrude Sweet Blend $ 168,788 $ 127,893 Other 590 333 --------- --------- 169,378 128,226 --------- --------- Expenses: Operating 88,049 90,833 Administration and other 3,195 2,079 Crown royalties 851 0 Finance charges 7,482 7,055 Depletion, depreciation and amortization 19,552 19,195 Dividends on preferred shares of subsidiary 270 270 --------- --------- 119,399 119,432 --------- --------- Income before taxes 49,979 8,794 Capital and other taxes 350 237 --------- --------- Net income $ 49,629 $ 8,557 Unit distributions (5,950) (1,350) Net income per trust unit $1.66 32 cents Mr. Eric Newell of Syncrude also reports For the third quarter, Syncrude's production has exceeded projections and Syncrude is 0.5 million barrels ahead of budgeted production for 1999 and well on its way to achieving the year-end goal of 83 million barrels of Syncrude sweet blend. On Oct. 14, 1999, the Energy and Utilities Board issued its decision report on Syncrude's application for the $3-billion Mildred Lake upgrader expansion project. The report stated that the board is prepared, with the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, to approve the expansion project. The Mildred Lake upgrader expansion is the largest component in the suite of capital investments known as Syncrude 21. Syncrude 21 comprises the largest single capital investment by a company in Western Canada. In addition to the Mildred Lake upgrader expansion, Syncrude 21 initiatives include the North mine, a two-stage debottleneck of the upgrading plant and the Aurora mine project. Syncrude 21 projects will be designed and constructed over the next 10 years and represent a more than $6-billion investment in the joint venture. Third quarter shipments Shipments of Syncrude sweet blend (SSB) totalled 20.9 million barrels for the quarter for an average of 227,000 barrels per day. This is up from 18.7 million (203,000 barrels per day) for the same period in 1998. Total shipments for the year to date 1999 were 61.0 million barrels (223,000 barrels per day), more than five million barrels ahead of the 1998 shipment rate. The target production total for 1999 is 83 million barrels. Operations achievements At the end of September Syncrude employees and contractors had achieved seven million hours worked without a lost time accident. The second North mine hydrotransport system came on stream in July and has been operating above expectations. The system helped establish a new benchmark in hydrotransport volumes and has virtually eliminated the need for auxiliary production systems. Syncrude's environmental performance reached a record in reduced energy consumption. The year-to-date energy consumption has dropped to 1.22 Mbtu per barrel of Syncrude sweet blend. This is below the 1999 target of 1.23 Mbtu per barrel and the previous best performance of 1.29 Mbtu reached in 1997. All SO(2) emissions during the quarter, and year to date, are well below licensed limits. Third quarter operating results Total expenditures for the quarter, which include production, general and administrative costs, research, certain financing costs and Syncrude 21 development expenditures, were $245.5-million, compared with $238.5-million for the same period in 1998. Direct operating expenditures were $220.2-million against $222.2-million last year. On a per barrel basis, total unit costs for the last three months were $11.74 per barrel of SSB and $12.30 for the year to date. This compares with unit costs of $12.76 per barrel for the third quarter in 1998. Year-to-date operating results Total expenditures for the year to date ending September were $750-million in 1999 or $12.30 per barrel, compared with $795-million in 1998 or $14.21 per barrel. Direct operating expenses were $680-million versus $747-million for the same period in 1998. Capital investment Capital expenditures for the quarter were $162-million. Year-to-date capital expenditures were $556-million, compared with $341-million in 1998. Syncrude expects to spend approximately $700-million on capital programs in 1999. Chairman's remarks "This was a very strong quarter for Syncrude. The quarterly production of nearly 21 million barrels is particularly impressive when coupled with the low per barrel cost of $11.74," said Eric Newell, chairman and chief executive officer. "Syncrude employees and contractors have done an outstanding job of holding down costs during this past quarter and throughout 1999. "Not only have we reduced costs to below $12 but Syncrude has surpassed the 1999 target of reducing energy consumption per barrel. We are also especially proud of achieving seven million hours of work without a lost time incident. These numbers represent the hours of both Syncrude employees and contractors working during one of the busiest quarters in our history. "We are very pleased to receive the EUB's decision report on the Mildred Lake upgrader expansion project. Syncrude 21 will see Syncrude's production nearly double by 2007. Of the $3-billion to be invested in the upgrader expansion, $600-million is being invested in new technology which will further improve environmental performance. For example, by 2007, SO(2) emissions will decline by 5 per cent on a total basis and 70 per cent on a per barrel basis compared with 1990 levels." Joint venture ownership The Syncrude project is a joint venture operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. and owned by AEC Oil Sands, L.P., AEC Oil Sands Limited Partnership, Athabasca Oil Sands Investments Inc., Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd., Canadian Oil Sands Investments Inc., Gulf Canada Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Ltd., Murphy Oil Company Ltd., and Petro-Canada. OPERATING RESULTS Three months ended Sept. 30 1999 1998 Shipments of SSB millions of barrels 20.9 18.7 Thousands of barrels per day 227 203 ----- ----- Direct operating expenditures millions of dollars 220.2 222.2 Unit cost per barrel $10.53 $11.89 ----- ----- Total expense millions of dollars 245.5 238.5 Unit cost per barrel $11.74 $12.76 OPERATING RESULTS Nine months ended Sept. 30 1999 1998 Shipments of SSB millions of barrels 61.0 55.9 Thousands of barrels per day 223 205 ----- ----- Direct operating expenditures millions of dollars 680.1 747.1 Unit cost per barrel $11.15 13.35 ----- ----- Total expense millions of dollars 750.2 794.9 Unit cost per barrel $12.30 $14.21 canada-stockwatch.com Chucka-A Mine is a Beauiful thing to waste. OK, they OWN the Tailings that they worked out of the group, we have the LIMESTONES uncovered in rights, permits and or leases. So, cut a deal...they own the Dragline with the 2 Car Garage Sized Buckets. We need DIRT MOVED!

To: Ed Devlin who wrote (269)	11/1/1999 5:38:00 PM
From: Chuca Marsh	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 402

LOL, the trip..Excellent...so now we wait, develop an analytical protocol and study the comparisons and contrasting, more OR less: techstocks.com techstocks.com siliconinvestor.com More IS good, flattery and comparison- this is different. The BM standard of comparison! Maybe, the Alberta Standard, LOL. Regurgitation, repeatableness, and now- IMITATION as a sincere form of flattery!!! Chucka

To: Ed Devlin who wrote (269)	4/25/2000 6:35:00 PM
From: Chuca Marsh	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 402

Ed, we are travelling on the slow side of steady and strong, the lee side of the wind BUT, I find stuff, you know that so I post it hear where I started posting: I backed into This from the BMD Website : Need to order airphoto's? Try: airphotos.nrcan.gc.ca The Geological Survey of Canada: nrcan.gc.ca For Free Gridded Elevation Data try: ngdc.noaa.gov Check your stocks at the Canadian Venture Stock Exchange: cnnx.ca Another site to check stocks: financialweb.com A site for info on gold and precious metals kitco.com Silicon Investors discussion group on Birch Mountain: www3.techstocks.com Raging Bull's discussion group on Birch Mountain: ragingbull.com birchmountain.com ( As On BM.com WEBSITE a DEAD URL so I clicked away and serendidity took me to MAPS!) BIOTECT SCITECH I had BEEN ..asaysing for MONTHS! GET THIS SO I CLICKED ON PAGE CAN NOT BE FOUND: nrcan.gc.ca nrcan.gc.ca nrcan.gc.ca I LOVE MAPS: nrcan.gc.ca nrcan.gc.ca nrcan.gc.ca nrcan.gc.ca nrcan.gc.ca nrcan.gc.ca BIOMINET NETWORK The BIOMINET Network was established in 1983 and the scope of the network can be described as follows: "BIOMINET is a network of companies, research organizations and associated agencies interested in the applications of biological systems in all aspects of the recovery and environmental protection associated with the processing of minerals and fossil fuel resources". OBJECTIVES BIOMINET's objectives are to promote interaction among the academic, business and governement communities and to promote the adoption of biotechnology based processes in the mining and fossil fuel sectors in Canada. ACTIVITIES The activities of the network include publishing three newsletters annually, organizing an annual meeting and publishing the proceedings from the annual meeting. The BIOMINET Secretariat also serves as a source of information concerning the applications of biotechnology in the mining and fossil fuel sectors. CANMET is also responsible for contracting out National Biotechnology Strategy (NBS) funding is to encourage the application of biotechnology in the fossil fuel and mining sectors by funding research for the development of biotechnology based processes. MEMBERSHIP The network has presently 400 members in industry, academia and government. Membership in BIOMINET is free and open to anyone interested in the network's objectives. MANAGEMENT OF BIOMINET The network is funded by NBS and administered by CANMET. It is run by a chairman and a secretary who are provided by CANMET and a steering committee which consists of members from the mining and fossil fuel industries, government and academia. One of the industry members chairs the steering committee. CONTACT BIOMINET Secretary CANMET, Natural Resources Canada 555 Booth Street Room 318 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Tel: (613) 992-7286 Fax: (613) 996-9673 nrcan.gc.ca BIOTECHNOLOGY AT THE MINERAL SCIENCES LABORATORIES OF THE CANADA CENTRE FOR MINERAL AND ENERGY TECHNOLOGY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personnel : GeneviŠve B‚chard (613) 992-2489 Pierre B‚dard (613) 992-1687 Doug Gould (613) 992-1885 David Koren (613) 992-7286 Lyne Lortie (613) 992-1596 Alex MacLeod (613) 992-1416 Facsimile (613) 996-9673 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Equipment : Laminar flow hoods Temperature controlled room Rotating Biological Contactors Fermenters (3 L and 45 L) Anaerobic Chamber -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Support Services : Analytical instrumentation and laboratory Technical services - electrical, mechanical Technical library Pilot plant testing facilities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clients ALCAN AMOCO Brunswick Mining and Smelting Denison Mines Iron Ore Company of Canada Niobec Nova-Husky Quebec Cartier Mines Transport Canada Consortium of 11 mining companies interested in ammonium removal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Projects BIOMINET Through a secretariat, the Mineral Sciences Laboratories manage BIOMINET, a national network funded by the Biotechnology Stategy Fund, to promote the use of biotechnology in the mineral and fossil fuel sectors. The secretariat facilitates communication amongst its 575 members by producing three newsletters per year and a general annual meeting. In addition, research and development funds are contracted out to support application of biotechnology in the mineral and fossil fuel sectors. Contact: David Koren / Doug Gould MICROBIAL REDUCTION OF SELENIUM The biotechnology group has developed a process for the removal of selenite from effluents. The process employs a Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) and either sewage sludge or a culture of Escherichia coli is added to biologically reduce selenium to the elemental form and thus remove it from solution. A laboratory scale RBC with 100 sq. ft of disk surface and a 30 L capacity was tested. Using the RBC >97% of the selenium in the weak acid effluent was removed with a retention time of 4 hours. The selenium laden biomass that sloughs off the disks of the RBC is recovered from the effluent by centrifugation. CANMET has developed a process for the recovery of selenium granules from the biomass. To date, the purity of the selenium produced is 95%. More recent work at MSL has been with an isolate of Pseudomonas stutzeri that is capable of reducing both selenate and selenite. The isolate was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Mines laboratory in Salt Lake City. The new isolate will continue to reduce selenium in solutions containing as much as 3 g/L of selenium. Tests will be performed with this microbe using a trickling filter reactor in order to treat a selenium containing effluent from a copper refinery. Recent Publications/Presentations McCready, R.G.L., Salley, J., Smith, T.G. 1988. "Biorecovery of selenium" Proceedings of the 4th Annual General Meeting of BIOMINET, Sudbury, Ont. Publication SP87-10, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ottawa. pp 135-145. Koren, D.W., Gould, W.D., Lortie, L.1992. "Selenium removal from waste water." International Symposium on Waste Processing and Recycling in Mining and Metallurgical Industries. CIM Annual Conference, Edmonton , Alberta, 23-27 August. Lortie, L., Gould, W.D., Rajan, S., McCready, R.G.L and Cheng, K.H. 1992. "Reduction of selenate and selenite to elemental selenium by a Pseudomonas stutzeri isolate." Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 58: 4042-4044. Adams, D.J., Altringer, P.B. and Gould, W.D. 1993. Bioreduction of selenate and selenite. In: A.E. Torma, M.L. Apel and C.L. Brierley (eds.) Biohydrometallurgical Technologies, Vol. II, The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, Warrendale, Pennsylvania. pp. 755-771. Contact: Lyne Lortie MICROBIAL AGGLOMERATION Mining and milling operations as well as petroleum refineries frequently produce effluents that are high in suspended solids. The currently accepted technology for the removal of suspended solids is to add chemical flocculating agents such as polyacrylamides and alum. Both of these chemicals are environmentally undesirable. Some bacteria as well as extracellular polymers produced by bacteria can be very good flocculating agents. The main objectives of this project are to survey a number of bacteria for flocculating ability and examine various microbial polymers for their flocculating ability. Results thus far have shown increased clarification rates of a clay suspension by the addition of a fermentation solution. Clarification rates were comparable to or up to 50% better than commercially recommended products. The estimated cost is competitive with the commercial products. CANMET is seeking industrial partners to help prioritize the commercial applications focus and to provide commercial scale and production expertise. Koren, D.W. 1992. "Biocoagulation/bioflocculation - A Literature Review." CANMET Mineral Sciences Divisional Report MSL 92-36 (LS). April 1992. Koren, D.W., Rajan, S and Chalykoff, C.M. "Bioflocculant Screening of Nova-Husky Bacteria" CANMET Mineral Sciences Divisional Report MSL 93-35 (TR). May 1993. Jagannathan, A.B. and Koren, D.W. "Screening of Biopolymer Production for the Purpose of Flocculation" BEng. Thesis, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ottawa. CANMET Mineral Sciences Divisional Report MSL 95-023 (ITR). June 1995 Contact: David Koren, phone (613) 992-7286 REMOVAL OF AMMONIA FROM MINING AND MILLING EFFLUENTS Work is under way with trickling filter reactors for the removal of ammonia from mine and mill effluents. An integrated nitrification/denitrification circuit for ammonia and nitrate removal has been developed at the laboratory scale. The system uses continuously stirred tank reactors for nitrification and a packed bed reactor operated in the upflow mode for denitrification. We are presently testing a pilot-scale system for ammonia and nitrate removal. This work is being supported by a consortium of 11 mining companies. Recent Publications/Presentations Gould, W.D., B‚dard, P., Koren, D.W., Liang, D. 1993. "Removal of Ammonium and Nitrate from Mine Effluents by Sequential Nitrification/Denitrification" Proceedings of the General Annual Meeting of BIOMINET, Edmonton, Alberta. Publication SP93-1, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ottawa. pp 65-75. Contact: Doug Gould / Pierre B‚dard / David Koren MICROBIOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE Biological processes for the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) using passive systems are emerging as an attractive alternative to conventional lime treatment. Development of a microbiological process using cellulosic waste was initiated in the Mineral Sciences Laboratories in 1988. Acid mine drainage was successfully treated for 4 years using a pilot-scale reactor. The artificial AMD of pH 3.5 contained 200 mg/L Fe2+ and 25 mg/L Al; the effluent pH was consistently greater than 6 and iron and aluminum were removed. Treatment of AMD using straw as a substrate was successful only if the artificial AMD was amended with sucrose. A comparative study of AMD treatment using straw and two types of hay demonstrated that alfalfa hay was a better substrate. A field study was undertaken in August 1989 at Halifax International Airport. AMD was successfully treated for a few weeks in the spring of 1990 before the reactor became oxidized and microbial activity ceased. Results from this study enabled MSL to propose an upgraded engineering design, which would ensure that anaerobic conditions are maintained within the reactor. MSL is presently looking for a partner to test the upgraded reactor design to treat acid mine drainage in the field. Recent Publications B‚chard, G., Rajan, S. and Gould, W.D. 1993. "Characterisation of a microbiological process for the treatment of acidic drainage." In: A.E. Torma, M.L. Apel and C.L. Brierley (eds.) Biohydrometallurgical Technologies, Vol. II, The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, Warrendale, Pennsylvania. pp. 277-286. B‚chard, G.M. 1993. "Microbiological Process for the Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Using Cellulosic Substrates". Ph.D. Thesis, Carleton University, Ottawa. B‚chard, G., Yamazaki, H., Gould, W.D. and B‚dard, P. 1994. "Use of cellulosic substrates for the microbial treatment of acid mine drainage". J. Environ. Qual. 23: 111-116. Contact: GeneviŠve B‚chard MICROBIALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION Corrosion which results in the perforation of steel pipelines is a major environmental and economic concern. The involvement of microorganisms in the pitting and localized corrosion of buried iron and steel has been well documented. However, the mechanisms which can adequately describe this corrosion have not been completely established. In collaboration with the Metals Technology Laboratory, the biotechnology group of MSL recently investigated the external corrosion of a pipeline steel. A full size pipe section was surrounded by environmental cells which contained water-saturated soils. After 16 months of operation, maximum corrosion rates of 2.0 mm/year and 0.5 mm/year were recorded for the open surface and underneath disbonded coatings, respectively. These rates are equivalent to actual field observations. Sites exhibiting the most severe pitting were correlated with an absence of hydrogenase activity and a large sulphate-reducing bacterial population. The absence of hydrogenase activity suggests that cathodic depolarization via hydrogen removal by the sulphate-reducing bacteria is not a requirement for severe corrosion. An increase in chloride concentration with time was also observed. It is possible that the chloride is interacting with corrosive bacterial metabolic products. A more complete understanding of the mechanisms of microbial corrosion will lead to improved methods of inhibition. Recent Publications/Presentations MacLeod, F.A., D.R. Kiff, and O. Vosikovsky. 1992. "Microbially influenced corrosion under disbonded coatings on a line pipe." In Gas, Oil, Coal, and Environmental Biotechnology IV (in press). MacLeod, F.A., D.R. Kiff and O. Vosikovsky. 1992. "Microbially influenced corrosion under disbonded coatings on a line pipe" In Proceedings of the International Conference on Pipeline Reliability, Calgary, Alberta, 2-5 June. pp. VII-3-1-VII-3-11. Contact: Alex MacLeod BIOADSORPTION OF URANIUM FROM BACTERIAL LEACH SOLUTIONS CANMET has developed a bioadsorption process for the recovery of uranium from the dilute (250-300 mg U/L) leach solutions being produced at Denison Mines during their bacterial leaching process. Using pelletized, immobilized Rhizopus arrhizus in an up-flow column design, McMaster University recently completed twelve loading and stripping cycles for the adsorption of uranium. Thirty fold concentration of the uranium has been achieved and a larger pilot-plant study will be conducted in the future to assess the life of the biomass pellets, to optimize the flow rate and to obtain sufficient data to conduct an economic assessment of the process. Recent Publications/Presentations McCready, R.G.L. and Gould, W.D., 1990. "Bioleaching of uranium". In. H.L. Erlich and C.L. Brierley (eds.) Microbial Mineral Recovery. McGraw-Hill, New York. pp 107-125. Tsezos, M. 1989. "The design and operation of a pilot plant on uranium biosorption" Contract Serial No. 89156-01-SQ Tsezos, M., Georgousis and McCready, R.G.L., 1991. "A mechanistic study of the competing ion effects on biosorbents". In: R.G.L. McCready (ed.), Proceedings of the General Annual Meeting of BIOMINET, Mississauga, Ontario. Publication MSL91-001, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Ottawa. pp 79-98. Contact: Doug Gould MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL During the winter, airport runoff contains urea, ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol from de-icing operations. The high biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the airport runoff causes problems in the municipal waste water treatment facilities. Thus it is desirable that most of the glycol be degraded before the runoff can be released to surface waters. Ethylene glycol degrading bacteria were first isolated from two areas near airports. An RBC reactor was then inoculated with a mixed culture of these isolates. Colonization of the RBC discs by the bacteria was very slow for the first two weeks, but some growth was observed in the third week. The degradation rate of ethylene glycol in the RBC was fairly low but as the biomass continued to accumulate the degradation rate increased. Recent Publications/Presentations Gould, W.D., Chalykoff, C., McCready, R.G.L., Salley, J., Worgan, J. 1990. "Microbial degradation of ethylene glycol using a rotating biological contactor". In: R.G.L. McCready (ed.), Proceedings of the 6th Annual General Meeting of BIOMINET, Laval, Quebec. Publication SP89-9, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada. pp.45-59. Contact: Doug Gould BIODEGRADATION OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS Various organic reagents used in mineral processing and other impurities from the ore make the process water unsuitable for reuse. These organic compounds tend to interfere with the flotation circuit. If the organic compounds could be microbially degraded, a significant portion of the process water could be recycled. The use of an RBC to biologically treat mine process waters is currently being investigated. The following organisms that could be used in an RBC based system have been isolated from a sample of mine process water: Pseudomonas cepacia, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter agglomerans, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Proteus mirabilis and Providencia stuartii. An industrial client uses triethylene glycol as a cooling coil anti-freeze and as a heat-exchange agent in their industrial operation. However, with biofouling of their process lines, the cooling solution in the equipment must be periodically changed and with leakage from gaskets etc, their waste stream contains up to 200 ppm of triethylene glycol which is ponded at their facility. As triethylene glycol results in a very high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in their waste lagoon and is fairly toxic, the company is not allowed to discharge their waste into the environment. As the company was aware of CANMET's process development for the degradation of ethylene glycol (airport deicing agent) they approached CANMET for assistance in the development of a biodegradation process for their triethylene glycol. Similarly, CANMET was approached by another company requesting assistance or advice on the best method for environmentally safe disposal of 8500 cubic meters of coal tar which had been produced during the company's earlier coking operations. CANMET was requested to conduct a feasibility study on the biodegradation of the coal tar. CANMET has been supporting very successful contract work by Nova-Husky Research Corporation on the biodegradation of oil refinery sludges. By utilizing their experimental protocol we have obtained very promising results on the biodegradation of the coal tar. During the production of aluminum by the Bayer process, organic components of the ore are degraded to toxic components such as oxylate. CANMET, in cooperation with ALCAN, has developed an RBC based process for the degradation of the oxylate to CO2 and H2O. Ninety-nine per cent of the pollutant is degraded within the RBC with an influent concentration of 12 g/L and a 5 hour retention time. This process is currently being tested on an industrial scale. Recent Publications/Presentations Brassinga, R.D., Fulford, G.D., McCready, R.G.L., Gould, W.D. and Beaudette, L. 1992. Biodegradation of oxalate ions in aqueous solution. Australian patent # 626,571. 25 pp. Gould, W.D., McCready, R.G.L., Salley, J., Rajan, S., Chalykoff, C., Beaudette, L. 1989 "Microbial treatment of industrial effluents" R.G.L. McCready (Ed.) Proceedings of the 5th Annual General Meeting of BIOMINET, Calgary, Alberta. Publication SP88-23, Energy, MInes and Resources Canada. pp 39-55. Gould, W.D. and McCready, R.G.L. 1994. "Biotechnological treatment of liquid and solid inorganic wastes". In: D.L. Stoner (ed.) Biotechnology for the Treatment of Hazardous Waste. Lewis Publishers/CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. pp 71-95. Contact: Doug Gould -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last modified: January 19, 1996 by DWK Chuca Chucaupt2 Chucka