Short Course - May 12th, 2024

Register Here

Clicking on “Register” will redirect you to the CIM Connect Registration site. At Step 2, you can easily choose the Minefill 2024 registration option.

This short course is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Registration for the conference is NOT required to attend this course.

A certificate of participation with PD hours will be granted following the completion of the course.

The organizer reserves the right to cancel the course if the number of participants does not meet the minimum number required.

Introduction to Backfill Design and Operations

Course Title: Introduction to Backfill Design and Operations

Expected Target Audience

Our intended audience comprises of delegates with minimal familiarity in backfill system design or those currently managing a system and seeking a deeper grasp of fundamental design and operational principles.

Course Overview & Objectives

Backfill plays a crucial role in the mining process, often underestimated until its significance becomes apparent too late. Challenges such as poor design, limited understanding of materials, unclear geotechnical requirements, or undersized systems can result in unreliable fill delivery or quality, and in some cases, a complete failure of backfill placement.

In this one-day course, we delve into various backfill methods, emphasizing the crucial connections between geomechanics, system design, operation, and management. Our goal is to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the essentials in effectively sizing, designing, and operating mine backfill systems. Special emphasis is placed on implementing and managing ‘best practice’ operations.

By the end of the course, delegates will gain insights into the requirements for designing and operating a safe and dependable backfill system.

 

2-day Short Course
Regular registration: $750
Student registration: $200

Price includes breaks, lunches, and course notes

Full Day Short Course
Regular registration: $425
Student registration: $125

Price includes breaks, lunch, and course notes

Half Day Short Course
Regular registration: $225
Student registration: $75

Price includes one break and course notes

2-day short course: Price includes two coffee breaks, lunches and course notes
Regular registration: $750
Student registration: $200

Full day short course: Price includes two coffee breaks, lunch and course notes
Regular registration: $425
Student registration: $125

Half day short course: Price includes one coffee break and course notes
Regular registration: $225
Student registration: $75

A certificate of participation with PD hours will be granted following the completion of the courses.

Program Outline

Time Topics Presenter
8:00-9:00 Registration CIM
9:00-9:30 Introductions Maureen McGuinness
9:30-10:45 Backfill Geomechanics Dr. David Stone
10:45-11:05 Break
11:05-12:20 Backfill Plants Chris Lee
12:20-13:20 Lunch
13:20-14:35 Underground Reticulation & Placement Paul Carmichael
14:35-15:55 Break
15:40-16:20 Backfill Operation Russell Evans
16:20-16:45 Backfill Operations Management Maureen McGuinness
16:45-17:00 Closing and Questions Maureen McGuinness

Price includes two coffee breaks, lunches and course notes.

Regular registration: $695
Student registration: $175

Price includes two coffee breaks, lunches and course notes.

Regular registration: $395
Student registration: $125

Price includes one coffee break and course notes.

Regular registration: $195
Student registration: $75

Meet your Course Presenters

Backfill Geomechanics - Dr. David Stone

MineFill Services, Inc.

Dr. David Stone is the President of MineFill Services and is a mining engineer with almost 40 years of global experience consulting to metal mines. Dr. Stone is an internationally recognized expert in mine backfilling, and is a frequent author and workshop presenter at backfill conferences worldwide. His expertise spans the full spectrum from cemented rockfills, to hydraulic fills and paste fills. Dave routinely provides advice on the design and costing of backfill preparation plants, and is a technical advisor to several operating mines. Dr. Stone is the past Chairman of the 7th and 12th International Symposia on Minefill (Minefill 2001 and Minefill 2017), as well as co-Chair of Minefill 2021 in Poland. Dr Stone is a graduate of the University of British Columbia (B.Ap.Sc) and Queen’s University at Kingston in Canada (Ph.D.).

Backfill Plants - Chris Lee

WSP

Chris Lee is a consulting engineer in the field of mining. He is a mechanical and mining engineer from Queen’s University. His 30 years experience includes design, construction and commissioning of mining infrastructure including paste backfill, cemented rockfill, crushing, grinding, mine dewatering, shaft sinking and materials handling systems. He specializes in backfill including mechanical, materials handling, pumps and piping, equipment specifications, process design and has been project manager for numerous engineering projects. He is currently a Fellow at WSP in Sudbury, Ontario.

Underground Reticulation & Placement - Paul Carmichael

Paterson & Cooke Canada Inc.

Paul Carmichael is Paterson & Cooke’s North American Backfill Manager, based out of the Sudbury, Ontario practice. He has a bachelor’s in mining engineering from UNSW, Australia. He has worked in mining and backfill for 10 years including operational roles in Australia and the Middle East and backfill consulting in the Americas including projects in Canada, U.S.A, Mexico and Brazil for P&C. His expertise includes mining and backfill operations, hydraulic modelling of distribution systems, surface and underground commissioning, backfill system management and backfill incident investigation.

Profile Picture for Russel Evans

Backfill Operations - Russel Evans

Agnico Eagle Canada

Mr. Evans has spent over 35 years in the mining industry and has supervised surface and underground mine projects on most continents. He has been part of the design, construction, commissioning, and operational support of over 30 paste plants and 8 cemented rock fill plants globally, including construction & commissioning of the first Paste Plant in Australia and the first gold mine paste tailings system. He is currently the Director of Backfill Operations for Agnico Eagle Mines.

Backfill Operation Management - Maureen McGuinness

Paterson & Cooke Canada Inc.

Maureen is a Director in Paterson & Cooke’s Sudbury, Ontario practice and of P&C Canada Inc. A metallurgical engineer from McGill University (MEng), she has worked in mining and milling for 30 years and specifically in paste backfill design and operations since 2000. Her expertise includes backfill management planning, dry tailings plant-feed operations, hydraulic modelling of distribution systems, start-up of backfill operations and training. Maureen is a senior member of P&C’s Global Backfill Group.

If you have any questions, please email Guylaine Richard, Professional Development Officer: grichard@cim.org or professionaldevelopment@cim.org

2 DAYS - [Date to Come]

1 DAY - [Date to Come]

EXAMPLE
A Breath of Fresh Air - Redefining Mine Ventilation for Energy and Cost Savings Facilitator: Euler DeSouza, AirFinders Inc.

Global awareness of potential problems with the long-term availability of resources has encouraged a world-wide re-evaluation of energy consumption. The recent problems experienced with the electricity supply in North America have resulted in a more urgent emphasis being placed on energy efficient design and operation of all energy consuming equipment. Electricity is a main mode of energy supply and the mining industry is affected by the increasing cost of this commodity. One of the main electricity consumers in operating mines is ventilation. Ventilation systems may account from 25-40% of the total energy costs and 40-50% of the energy consumption of a mine operation.

Some of the biggest challenges for mining industry sites are to enhance ventilation equipment performance and decrease costs. A Ventilation Asset Performance Management Program is introduced to bring sizable reductions in a mine's overall costs and base electrical and energy loads.

In this course, using a pro-active approach to mine ventilation solutions, you will learn how to:
Apply management programs to improve the performance and efficiency of ventilation assets and
installations, resulting in substantial reductions in power consumption and in operating cost implement simple, effective, innovative and proven cost reduction engineering strategies for mine ventilation assets

- Apply mine ventilation improvements to build greater energy efficiency

- Implement system optimization strategies for energy management and cost reduction

- Correct inappropriate designs or system degradation caused by poor maintenance

- Design, commission, operate and maintain a reliable ventilation system

Short Course Objectives:
To introduce an innovative and pro-active approach to mine ventilation solutions including asset performance management programs, strategies for energy management, implementation of energy saving programs, effective cost saving ideas, initiatives and strategies and simple ways to cut ventilation costs

Target Audience:
Professional mining engineer, technologists, contractors and mine operators who are involved in the design, management and day-to-day operation of mine ventilation systems.

About the instructor:
Euler De Souza is one of the most experienced and trusted ventilation specialists in the industry with wide-ranging operational and technical expertise across different sectors of mining. He is President and CEO of AirFinders Inc., a company specializing on the design of ventilation systems for industry. He was affiliated with the Department of Mining Engineering at Queen’s University, as an Associate Professor for 33 years (1988 – 2021). Dr. De Souza is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario, and holds B.Sc., M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mining Engineering. He has been involved in multiple engineering projects with industry over the past 34 years; he provides continuous technical advice to several operating mines; provides technical support to junior mining companies; collaborates with various consulting companies; and has provided support to regulatory agencies. He has produced over 500 publications. He has published 180 papers in refereed journals and in conference proceedings and has produced over 343 engineering related technical reports.

EXAMPLE
A Breath of Fresh Air - Redefining Mine Ventilation for Energy and Cost Savings Facilitator: Euler DeSouza, AirFinders Inc.

Global awareness of potential problems with the long-term availability of resources has encouraged a world-wide re-evaluation of energy consumption. The recent problems experienced with the electricity supply in North America have resulted in a more urgent emphasis being placed on energy efficient design and operation of all energy consuming equipment. Electricity is a main mode of energy supply and the mining industry is affected by the increasing cost of this commodity. One of the main electricity consumers in operating mines is ventilation. Ventilation systems may account from 25-40% of the total energy costs and 40-50% of the energy consumption of a mine operation.

Some of the biggest challenges for mining industry sites are to enhance ventilation equipment performance and decrease costs. A Ventilation Asset Performance Management Program is introduced to bring sizable reductions in a mine's overall costs and base electrical and energy loads.

In this course, using a pro-active approach to mine ventilation solutions, you will learn how to:
Apply management programs to improve the performance and efficiency of ventilation assets and
installations, resulting in substantial reductions in power consumption and in operating cost implement simple, effective, innovative and proven cost reduction engineering strategies for mine ventilation assets

- Apply mine ventilation improvements to build greater energy efficiency

- Implement system optimization strategies for energy management and cost reduction

- Correct inappropriate designs or system degradation caused by poor maintenance

- Design, commission, operate and maintain a reliable ventilation system

Short Course Objectives:
To introduce an innovative and pro-active approach to mine ventilation solutions including asset performance management programs, strategies for energy management, implementation of energy saving programs, effective cost saving ideas, initiatives and strategies and simple ways to cut ventilation costs

Target Audience:
Professional mining engineer, technologists, contractors and mine operators who are involved in the design, management and day-to-day operation of mine ventilation systems.

About the instructor:
Euler De Souza is one of the most experienced and trusted ventilation specialists in the industry with wide-ranging operational and technical expertise across different sectors of mining. He is President and CEO of AirFinders Inc., a company specializing on the design of ventilation systems for industry. He was affiliated with the Department of Mining Engineering at Queen’s University, as an Associate Professor for 33 years (1988 – 2021). Dr. De Souza is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario, and holds B.Sc., M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mining Engineering. He has been involved in multiple engineering projects with industry over the past 34 years; he provides continuous technical advice to several operating mines; provides technical support to junior mining companies; collaborates with various consulting companies; and has provided support to regulatory agencies. He has produced over 500 publications. He has published 180 papers in refereed journals and in conference proceedings and has produced over 343 engineering related technical reports.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

HALF DAY - [Date to Come]

EXAMPLE
A Breath of Fresh Air - Redefining Mine Ventilation for Energy and Cost Savings Facilitator: Euler DeSouza, AirFinders Inc.

Global awareness of potential problems with the long-term availability of resources has encouraged a world-wide re-evaluation of energy consumption. The recent problems experienced with the electricity supply in North America have resulted in a more urgent emphasis being placed on energy efficient design and operation of all energy consuming equipment. Electricity is a main mode of energy supply and the mining industry is affected by the increasing cost of this commodity. One of the main electricity consumers in operating mines is ventilation. Ventilation systems may account from 25-40% of the total energy costs and 40-50% of the energy consumption of a mine operation.

Some of the biggest challenges for mining industry sites are to enhance ventilation equipment performance and decrease costs. A Ventilation Asset Performance Management Program is introduced to bring sizable reductions in a mine's overall costs and base electrical and energy loads.

In this course, using a pro-active approach to mine ventilation solutions, you will learn how to:
Apply management programs to improve the performance and efficiency of ventilation assets and
installations, resulting in substantial reductions in power consumption and in operating cost implement simple, effective, innovative and proven cost reduction engineering strategies for mine ventilation assets

- Apply mine ventilation improvements to build greater energy efficiency

- Implement system optimization strategies for energy management and cost reduction

- Correct inappropriate designs or system degradation caused by poor maintenance

- Design, commission, operate and maintain a reliable ventilation system

Short Course Objectives:
To introduce an innovative and pro-active approach to mine ventilation solutions including asset performance management programs, strategies for energy management, implementation of energy saving programs, effective cost saving ideas, initiatives and strategies and simple ways to cut ventilation costs

Target Audience:
Professional mining engineer, technologists, contractors and mine operators who are involved in the design, management and day-to-day operation of mine ventilation systems.

About the instructor:
Euler De Souza is one of the most experienced and trusted ventilation specialists in the industry with wide-ranging operational and technical expertise across different sectors of mining. He is President and CEO of AirFinders Inc., a company specializing on the design of ventilation systems for industry. He was affiliated with the Department of Mining Engineering at Queen’s University, as an Associate Professor for 33 years (1988 – 2021). Dr. De Souza is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Ontario, and holds B.Sc., M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mining Engineering. He has been involved in multiple engineering projects with industry over the past 34 years; he provides continuous technical advice to several operating mines; provides technical support to junior mining companies; collaborates with various consulting companies; and has provided support to regulatory agencies. He has produced over 500 publications. He has published 180 papers in refereed journals and in conference proceedings and has produced over 343 engineering related technical reports.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.

Title to appear

Finding, hiring, training and managing today’s workforce. We discuss; how to engage with the workforce of tomorrow and ensure that your inclusive company engages a diverse workforce; ensure that your workforce is at its best through ongoing learning and training; and to ensure your workforce is giving its all by allowing task ownership through short interval control; and is operating at it safest by mitigating fatigue risk in the workplace. Join the discussion so that you too can employ the best strategies to ensure your workforce delivers the competitive advantage that you need.