Problems with mechanization of narrow-vein mining operations - Canadian case

Many known metal deposits in Canada occur in the form of narrow-vein type ore bodies. Although these days the prices of metals are at record levels and grades of metals in veins are much higher than in massive ore bodies, mining narrow veins with reasonable profit is not an easy task. This paper describes briefly the context of narrow-vein mining in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario and briefly overviews the methods and equipment used in such operations. It presents and comments some means and initiatives undertaken to increase productivity and profitability of narrow-vein mining and their impact. The paper concludes with some remarks concerning possible developments in this field in the near future.