Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-01606, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Sasmito, Agus (McGill University)|Sasmito, Agus (Université McGill), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Quebec|Québec, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : 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 from_x000D_
mineral extraction comprising suspensions of sediments/tailings are mixed with a reinforcing agent (often_x000D_
cement), then pumped back underground to refill the areas where they were removed from. Various types of_x000D_
mine backfill such as paste fill or Gel fill have been developed to address the specific needs of various mining_x000D_
operations. For optimization of mining techniques, mine fill with improved physical and mechanical properties_x000D_
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 useful_x000D_
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 improve_x000D_
the structural performance and rheology of mine backfill for the first time. The nanocellulose to be used in this_x000D_
research is produced via a high-consistency refining process that was recently developed and has since been_x000D_
adapted and tailored for a variety of different industrial applications. The technology for producing this_x000D_
nanofibrillated cellulose was recently licensed by Performance BioFilaments Inc. The very high aspect ratio_x000D_
(ratio of length to width) of this nanofibrillated cellulose, along with its high degree of flexibility and_x000D_
exceptional surface area, make it an ideal material for entangling and binding-together tailing particles. It is_x000D_
expected that the nanofibrillated cellulose material will also improve the strength and rheology performance of_x000D_
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 the_x000D_
competitiveness of the company, and will aid the company's intention to expand the potential applications of its_x000D_
product to mining industry, and generate more revenues., program purpose french : 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 from_x000D_
mineral extraction comprising suspensions of sediments/tailings are mixed with a reinforcing agent (often_x000D_
cement), then pumped back underground to refill the areas where they were removed from. Various types of_x000D_
mine backfill such as paste fill or Gel fill have been developed to address the specific needs of various mining_x000D_
operations. For optimization of mining techniques, mine fill with improved physical and mechanical properties_x000D_
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 useful_x000D_
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 improve_x000D_
the structural performance and rheology of mine backfill for the first time. The nanocellulose to be used in this_x000D_
research is produced via a high-consistency refining process that was recently developed and has since been_x000D_
adapted and tailored for a variety of different industrial applications. The technology for producing this_x000D_
nanofibrillated cellulose was recently licensed by Performance BioFilaments Inc. The very high aspect ratio_x000D_
(ratio of length to width) of this nanofibrillated cellulose, along with its high degree of flexibility and_x000D_
exceptional surface area, make it an ideal material for entangling and binding-together tailing particles. It is_x000D_
expected that the nanofibrillated cellulose material will also improve the strength and rheology performance of_x000D_
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 the_x000D_
competitiveness of the company, and will aid the company's intention to expand the potential applications of its_x000D_
product to mining industry, and generate more revenues., agreement title english : Investigation of cellulose filament for mine backfill, agreement title french : Investigation of cellulose filament for mine backfill, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2018-03-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada